What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
inscrutable
Example
The detective found the suspect's motives inscrutable. [inscrutable: adjective]
Example
The ancient hieroglyphs were inscrutable to the archaeologists. [inscrutable: adjective]
unfathomable
Example
The vastness of the universe is unfathomable to the human mind. [unfathomable: adjective]
Example
The complexity of the problem was unfathomable even to the experts. [unfathomable: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Inscrutable is more commonly used than unfathomable in everyday language. Inscrutable is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while unfathomable is less common and has a more specific usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between inscrutable and unfathomable?
Both inscrutable and unfathomable are formal words that are appropriate for academic or professional writing. However, unfathomable may be perceived as more formal due to its Old English origin.
