Definition

The quality of being difficult to understand or interpret; something that is mysterious or not easily figured out.

Example

The inscrutableness of her expression made it hard to know what she was thinking.

Conversation

Have you ever thought about the inscrutableness of people's emotions?

Yeah, it's fascinating how we can never fully understand what someone else is feeling.

Exactly, sometimes I wish I could just read people's minds to make things easier.

But then again, maybe it's better that we can't — it keeps life interesting!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Inscrutableness is formed from "in-" (meaning not), "scrutari" (meaning to search or examine), and "-able" (meaning capable of). The word describes something that is not capable of being searched or examined, hence, mysterious or difficult to understand.

Memory Tip

Think of something that is 'not' ('in-') able to be 'searched' ('scrutari') — that's why inscrutableness refers to something that is mysterious or hard to understand.

Visually Confused Words