unintelligible

adjective

un·​in·​tel·​li·​gi·​ble ˌən-in-ˈte-lə-jə-bəl How to pronounce unintelligible (audio)
Synonyms of unintelligible
: unable to be understood or comprehended : not intelligible
a song with unintelligible lyrics
unintelligible jargon
… including parenthetical translations of the words and phrases he knew would be unintelligible to contemporary readers.—John N. Green
unintelligibility
ˌən-in-ˌte-lə-jə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce unintelligible (audio)
noun
or less commonly unintelligibleness
unintelligibly
ˌən-in-ˈte-lə-jə-blē How to pronounce unintelligible (audio)
adverb
muttering unintelligibly

Synonyms of unintelligible

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Examples of unintelligible in a Sentence

uttered only a string of unintelligible murmurs
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Assuming viewers understood the history of English soccer — or even the offside rule — could make the broadcasts unintelligible for new fans who understood neither. — Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026 Incomplete, corrupted, untimely, or unintelligible Submissions or Submission Forms will be disqualified. — August 16, NPR, 16 Aug. 2026 When the surveillance footage resumes about an hour later, a man can be heard shouting, but the words are unintelligible, and a vehicle horn sounds. — Kansas City Star, 10 Aug. 2026 Claypool’s voice, formerly a sharp and declarative figure in the mix, slinks down into silty waters, often unintelligible and almost always emotionally ambiguous. — Sasha Geffen, Pitchfork, 2 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unintelligible

Word History

First Known Use

1664, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unintelligible was in 1664

Rhymes for unintelligible

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Browse Nearby Words

unintelligibility
unintelligible
unintended
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unintelligible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unintelligible. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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