What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
inscrutable
Example
The meaning of the ancient text was inscrutable to modern scholars. [inscrutable: adjective]
Example
The detective found the suspect's motives inscrutable. [inscrutable: adjective]
Example
She gave him an inscrutable smile before walking away. [inscrutable: adjective]
incomprehensible
Example
The physics equation was incomprehensible to the average student. [incomprehensible: adjective]
Example
The foreign language was incomprehensible to the tourists. [incomprehensible: adjective]
Example
The complexity of the theory made it incomprehensible to most people. [incomprehensible: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Incomprehensible is more commonly used than inscrutable in everyday language. Incomprehensible is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while inscrutable is less common and refers to a specific type of difficulty in understanding.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between inscrutable and incomprehensible?
Both inscrutable and incomprehensible are formal words that are typically used in academic or professional contexts. However, incomprehensible may be more commonly used in everyday language and can be employed in various formality levels.
