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inexplicability

inexplicability

1 9.8
A state when something cannot be explained or understood
  • noun
  • /ˌɪnɪkˌsplɪkəˈbɪlɪti/
translation icon : inexplicabilidad
  • For here, it is tempting to think that Leibniz is inferring the immateriality of perceivers from his claim of inexplicability.

Examples

  • This inexplicability troubles me very deeply!

    Blog text (10)
  • Leibniz's claim about the inexplicability of perceptions in mechanical terms presupposes his definition of perception as representation in a unity.

    Academic text (1998)
  • He wondered about this; its inexplicability became a part of her enigma.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • However, I *did* directly recommend the Rasula title to you, as you have trotted out an Andrews poem as a specimen of inexplicability.

    Blog text (32)
  • Kissinger notes the inexplicability of the decision in light of the generally improved state of relations and the goodwill that the Soviets had acquired from liberalized emigration.

    Academic text (1991)
  • For some, this may provide sufficient reason for accepting that Leibniz is guilty of fallacious reasoning, and that he should be interpreted as moving from our inability to explain certain mental phenomena mechanically to their utter inexplicability, and finally to the ontological distinctness of mind and matter.

    Academic text (1998)
  • The inexplicability of her sudden departure left everyone confused.

  • Scientists often encounter the inexplicability of certain natural phenomena that defy explanation.

  • The inexplicability of his actions puzzled his friends at the meeting.

Synonyms

mystery
vsinexplicability
660 4.7

Something that is hard to understand or explain

names the quality of being hard to explain rather than the thing itself
inscrutability
vsinexplicability
1 9.9

A quality that you cannot understand or know the reasons for

also covers being hard to explain as well as to understand
incomprehensibility
vsinexplicability
1 9.9

A state where something is very hard to understand

focuses on difficulty of explaining as well as understanding
mysteriousness
vsinexplicability
1 5.2

A quality of being hard to understand and making people curious

focuses on difficulty itself rather than the interest it creates
unknowability
vsinexplicability
1 9.9

A quality that makes facts and events impossible to find out or fully understand

is about being hard to explain or understand rather than about knowing
unintelligibility
vsinexplicability
1 9.9

Something that is very hard to understand

emphasizes being hard to explain as well as to understand
indecipherability
vsinexplicability
1 9.9

A difficulty understanding handwriting, signs, or codes

applies mainly to written or coded material rather than all cases
impalpability
vsinexplicability
9.9

You cannot easily understand or picture it in your mind

stresses difficulty of explaining rather than only mental grasp
impenetrability
vsinexplicability
9.9

Very hard to understand because the ideas are unclear or complicated

means being hard to explain even without obvious complexity reasons
unfathomable mystery
vsinexplicability
8.9

A thing that people cannot understand or explain

refers to the state of being hard to explain rather than a single thing
enigmaticness
vsinexplicability
9.2

A state of being mysterious and hard to understand

includes difficulty explaining not only the sense of puzzlement

How Explainable

clarity
152 3.0
mystery
660 4.7
inexplicability
1 9.8

Surface Forms

Morphology

inexplicability = inexplicable (semi-transparent) = in + explic + able + ity

This is a standard noun formation from the adjective 'inexplicable' meaning the state or quality of being inexplicable.

Etymology

Inexplicability begins with in- meaning 'not' and the rest is like the English word explain, which comes from an old word meaning 'to unfold' or 'to make clear'. So inexplicability is the 'state of not being able to be explained', which helps you remember it describes something very hard or impossible to understand.