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impensabile

unthinkable, inconceivable

adjective eem-pen-SAH-bee-leh Rare
Descriptions & Qualities Degree

Usage Note

Impensabile is formed from in- (negative) + pensabile (thinkable, from pensare). It expresses that something is beyond imagination or impossible to conceive — è impensabile rinunciare = 'it is unthinkable to give up.' The word is invariable for gender; plural is impensabili. Slightly stronger than impossibile in conveying moral or cognitive impossibility.

Examples

"Era impensabile che lui mentisse così."

Natural Translation

It was unthinkable that he would lie like that.

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