unsayable

comparative more unsayable · superlative most unsayable

1. human sciencesNot capable of being said.

   Nonetheless, in some unsayable way, value sentences are about values and reflect the structure of values.

   1938, G. E. Moore, Ethics, University of Chicago Press, page 215

   2 more examples

   Whatsoever has been said before me, even on any subject, surely it belongs thereto that it can be repeated by me in rehearsal, and hence it does not seem possible that in this sense it should be so fitly called unspeakable or unsayable.

   1851, John Kitto, The Journal of sacred literature, Oxford University, page 296

   The unsaid drives us to “speak;” but, in some ways, there are limitations on what we can say, because some part always remains unsaid — we must always attempt to say the unsayable.

   2004, Daniel Fidel Ferrer, Philosophical Aphorisms: Critical Encounters with Heidegger and Nietzsche, page 97

   Synonyms: inexpressible

2. rareNot allowed or not fit to be said.

   He was sacked, rather, for, saying the unsayable: for telling the truth.

   2007 March 17, “Talking points: Racism and the cult of knee-jerk outrage”, in The Week, number 605, page 20

   2 more examples

   His task: to say the unsayable. To say all the words we have normally suppressed and to say them and say them and say them.

   1971 June 6, Walter Kerr, “Lenny Lost His Cool . . . (review of Lenny, about comedian Lenny Bruce)”, in New York Times, page D3

   In Oakland, Rachel Blau's lawn is green because it rained recently. But if there's no rain, "we let it go," she says, bravely adding the unsayable "I don't care how it looks."

   1991 June 3, John Skow, “Can Lawns Be Justified?”, in Time

   Synonyms: taboo, unspeakable