unreadable

adjective

ˌən-ˈrē-də-bəl How to pronounce unreadable (audio)
Definition of unreadablenext
as in illegible
incapable of being read or deciphered the old book contains an inscription, but the handwriting is cramped and unreadable

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of unreadable If documents are rendered unreadable, then they can be disposed of in a publicly accessible dumpster, the law states. — Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 9 July 2026 In early 2025, the victim was 56-year-old Gerald Neal, a pedestrian who was run over twice as an unmarked police truck chased a vehicle in Holden Heights over an unreadable license plate. — Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 June 2026 The ocean essentially became unreadable, with visibility collapsing not for hours but for months at a time. — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026 Vault contents remain unreadable until the user enters the master password, which acts as a decryption key. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 4 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for unreadable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unreadable
illegible
Adjective
  • On both, as ever, his illegible mumble suggests shame in his own voice, or even guilt about being here at all (some of his enduring illnesses relate to PTSD from cradling a dying friend in his lap after a gang attack as a teen).
    — Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 30 July 2026
  • But, outside of clothing items and a set of denture plates inscribed with a partially illegible set of numbers, there was too little evidence recovered from the scene to generate leads in the case.
    — Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 29 July 2026
Definition of illegible

Browse Nearby Words

unread
unreadable
unreadiness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unreadable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unreadable. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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