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Glite Dictionary
😱 Too terrible 🙏 Too holy to say
unspeakable

unspeakable

6 8.1
Too holy to say aloud
  • adjective
  • /ʌnˈspiːkəbl/
  • Literature
: inefable
  • How could I speak the unspeakable?
  • unspeakable joy
  • speak the unspeakable

And the word that I would like to eradicate today is unspeakable because I think everything should be spoken.

Examples

  • Is that also the darkness of unspeakable sin?

    Fiction book (1997)

  • So all we're really left with is just this string of consonants, you know, an unspeakable name.

    Higher Ground (2011)

  • We're never nearer Christ than when we're lost in a holy amazement at His unspeakable love.

    Blog text (27)

  • They are messengers of overwhelming grief and unspeakable love." --Washington

    Blog text (8)

  • I say to us all, on this day that is heavy with the possibility of a future where we may be called to suffer awhile, that there still is wonder in the world and a joy unspeakable if we but still our sorrow and set our souls in silence and peace in the presence of the Almighty.

    Blog text (15)

  • There is humbleness of mind, gentleness, long-suffering, the whole image of God; and at the same time, a peace that passeth all understanding, and joy unspeakable and full of glory.

    Blog text (6)

  • God's name (YHWH), translated as "Lord God" in most Bibles and roughly equivalent to the term "Yahweh," has long been considered so holy that it is unspeakable.

    Blog text (23)

  • The beauty of the sunset was so breathtaking that it felt almost unspeakable.

  • In their grief, they experienced an unspeakable loss that left them in silence.

  • The unspeakable tragedy of the event moved everyone to tears.

Synonyms

ineffable
vsunspeakable
  • Formal
8 9.5

So great that words cannot describe it

is more about a prohibition to speak aloud because of holiness
inexpressible
vsunspeakable
3 7.5

A feeling so strong that you cannot describe it in words

applies when speaking is forbidden for religious or holy reasons
unnameable
vsunspeakable
  • Literature
1 9.9

Too holy or respected to say the name aloud

highlights holiness as reason for silence rather than mere reverence
unsayable
vsunspeakable
  • NSFW
1 9.3

So offensive that people do not say it

is about sacred prohibition rather than social offensiveness
unutterable
vsunspeakable
  • Literature
1 9.9

Too holy to be spoken aloud

is the same but emphasizes holiness rather than general reverence
unexpressible
vsunspeakable
1 8.4

So strong or deep that words cannot describe it

focuses on taboo against saying it aloud due to sacredness
untellable
vsunspeakable
1 9.9

So great you cannot describe it in words

is used when speaking is forbidden for holy reasons rather than inexpressible

How Sacred

unspeakable
  • Literature
6 8.1
holy
925 2.7
sacred
158 4.3
respected
248 2.3
ordinary
681 1.0

Surface Forms

unspeakable positive

Morphology

unspeakable = speakable (transparent) = un + speak + able

The formation 'un-' + 'speakable' straightforwardly yields 'not to be spoken'; the specialized sacred usage is a pragmatic extension but follows the negative formation.

Etymology

Unspeakable comes from the parts un- 'not' and speak 'say'. A helpful way to remember the religious sense is to imagine a name so sacred that people are told not to speak it aloud. That's why unspeakable can mean 'too sacred to be spoken'.