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unchallengeable

unchallengeable

1 7.2
So certain that no one can doubt it
  • adjective
  • /ʌnˈtʃælɪndʒəbl/
translation icon : incuestionable
  • As C. Vann Woodward, the third Hook Award recipient, put it, "the university is a place where the unthinkable can be thought, the unmentionable can be discussed, and the unchallengeable can be challenged."
  • unchallengeable inspection

You don't discuss or debate something that is unchallengeable, something that is unspeakable.

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Examples

  • Bankers simply will not lend the billion dollars plus required for a deep-sea mining operation without an unchallengeable legal title to the resource.

    Academic text (2005)
  • Republicans have to win by substantial, unchallengeable numbers.

    Blog text (1)
  • What I really mean is that it's a theory which has been supported into an unchallengeable orthodoxy by a number of factors.

  • You don't discuss or debate something that is unchallengeable, something that is unspeakable.

  • The United States grew to heights unknown by strict compliance with the Constitution's clear, unchallengeable limitations on the authority and power of the federal government.

    Blog text (26)
  • Although the economy is usually treated as a domestic issue, reviving it is as important to the nation's long-term security as keeping U.S. military strength unchallengeable.

    Academic text (2008)
  • The legacies of prominent personalities in the international adoption movement have solidified into unchallengeable testimony.

    Academic text (2009)
  • But many geographers, reluctant to accept that regional characterizations are, in themselves, mutable feats of imagination, continue to work as if reciting scripture from an unchallengeable canon of regional divisions.

    Academic text (1996)
  • There is truly an element of paradox in attempting to stimulate reaming by presenting ideas and concepts as unchallengeable, by establishing the teacher as an ultimate authority, and by rewarding conformity while punishing creativity and variation.

    Academic text (1992)
  • The scientist's findings were considered unchallengeable by her peers due to the overwhelming evidence.

Synonyms

undeniable
vsunchallengeable
56 4.2

So clear that people cannot doubt it

expresses that same certainty but focuses on impossibility of dispute
indisputable
vsunchallengeable
22 5.7

You cannot doubt it because it is clearly true

expresses the same certainty but with broader impossibility to dispute
irrefutable
vsunchallengeable
22 7.8

Impossible to deny or prove wrong

keeps the same impossibility but states it as general certainty
incontrovertible
vsunchallengeable
  • Formal
11 8.2

Clearly true and impossible to doubt

is the broader claim of being unable to be challenged or disputed
unassailable
vsunchallengeable
11 8.0

So strong that no one can attack, defeat, or prove it wrong

is the wider claim about being impossible to dispute or challenge
unshakable
vsunchallengeable
  • US
8 4.8

Very strong belief or feeling that cannot be changed

is the general statement of being impossible to dispute or question
unimpeachable
vsunchallengeable
  • Formal
7 8.2

Very honest and reliable so people cannot doubt it

focuses on overall certainty rather than personal integrity specifically
unquestionable
vsunchallengeable
7 4.1

Clearly true so no one can doubt it

frames the same certainty but as overall inability to be disputed
inarguable
vsunchallengeable
2 6.7

Impossible to deny or argue with

states the same overall lack of challenge in more general words
incontestable
vsunchallengeable
  • Formal
2 7.5

People cannot doubt it because it is clearly true

means similarly but frames it as simply impossible to dispute
indubitable
vsunchallengeable
  • Formal
1 8.7

Completely certain and clearly true

expresses the same certainty but stresses general unchallengeability
unarguable
vsunchallengeable
1 5.9

Impossible to disagree with because the facts are clear

states the same lack of argument but in more general language
undisputable
vsunchallengeable
1 4.7

Certain and impossible to doubt

uses broader wording to state overall impossibility of dispute
incontestible
vsunchallengeable
  • UK
8.4

Impossible to argue against because the facts are clear

conveys the same idea but in more general language of being certain
uncontestable
vsunchallengeable
6.6

Clearly true and impossible to doubt

is the same overall idea phrased as impossible to be questioned
undoubtable
vsunchallengeable
6.8

Certain and clearly true

frames that same lack of doubt as overall inability to dispute
irrefragable
vsunchallengeable
  • Archaic
9.9

Impossible to prove wrong

is the broader statement of being impossible to question or dispute
irrebuttable
vsunchallengeable
  • Jargon
9.9

Impossible to prove wrong in court

is the more general claim of being impossible to question or deny
nondebatable
vsunchallengeable
6.5

Not open to discussion or argument

is the general idea, emphasising impossibility of being questioned
unattackable
vsunchallengeable
8.6

Others cannot attack or harm it

frames the same invulnerability as inability to be questioned
inexpugnable
vsunchallengeable
9.9

No one can beat or prove it wrong

is the broader claim of being unable to be disputed or questioned

Antonyms

2 6.6

Open to argument or doubt

challengeable
  • Formal
1 7.4

Able to be questioned or opposed in court

How Certain

unchallengeable
1 7.2
certain
946 1.0
probable
200 3.4
plausible
129 7.2
uncertain
43 3.9
doubtful
25 3.0

Surface Forms

unchallengeable positive

Morphology

unchallengeable = challengeable (transparent) = un + challenge + able

The negative prefix 'un-' is productively attached to 'challengeable', yielding the straightforward meaning 'not able to be challenged'.

Etymology

Unchallengeable breaks into un- 'not', challenge 'to question or fight', and -able 'can be'. So, something unchallengeable is 'not' 'able to be' challenged, which is why it means impossible to question or dispute.