unthink
LowFormal, Literary
Definition
Meaning
to remove (something) from one's thoughts; to cease to think about or consider possible.
To reverse a thought process, to dismiss an idea as unworthy of consideration, or to attempt to erase a thought from consciousness. In philosophy and psychology, it can mean to make a concept impossible to conceive.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Predominantly used in the imperative, infinitive, or past participle forms. Often carries a sense of deliberate mental effort or impossibility. The related adjective 'unthinkable' is vastly more common.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage; the word is equally rare in both varieties.
Connotations
Slightly more associated with philosophical or psychological discourse in both regions.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both. The derived forms 'unthinkable' and 'unthinking' are the primary carriers of the root meaning.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
transitive verb: unthink + [noun/idea]reflexive/absolute: unthink (of something)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “the unthought known (psychoanalytic)”
- “to unthink the thought”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually unused. Might appear in metaphorical contexts about strategy, e.g., 'We must unthink our old assumptions about the market.'
Academic
Used in critical theory, philosophy, and psychology to describe the process of deconstructing fundamental concepts.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might be used for dramatic effect: 'I wish I could unthink what I just saw.'
Technical
Used in cognitive science discussions about thought suppression or metacognition.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Once you've conceived of the possibility, it's jolly hard to unthink it.
- The therapist advised him to try and unthink that traumatic memory.
American English
- You can't just unthink a conspiracy theory once it's taken root.
- She needed to unthink her old career plans and start fresh.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable. The adverb form is 'unthinkingly'.
American English
- Not applicable. The adverb form is 'unthinkingly'.
adjective
British English
- Not applicable. The adjective form is 'unthinkable'.
American English
- Not applicable. The adjective form is 'unthinkable'.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- It was a horrible idea, and I tried to unthink it immediately.
- The revelation was so shocking that he spent days trying to unthink it.
- Critical historians aim to unthink the national myths that shape our collective consciousness.
- The very concept of time before the Big Bang is something the human mind struggles to unthink.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'UNDO' for your thoughts. Just as you 'unsend' an email, you 'unthink' a thought.
Conceptual Metaphor
THOUGHTS ARE OBJECTS THAT CAN BE ERASED OR RETRIEVED. THE MIND IS A CONTAINER THAT CAN BE EMPTIED.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'расдумать'. 'Расдумать' implies reconsideration, not erasure. 'Unthink' is closer to 'выкинуть из головы', 'перестать думать о', or 'отказаться от мысли'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a common synonym for 'forget'. Confusing it with 'rethink' (which means to think again, differently). Overusing it in everyday speech where 'dismiss' or 'ignore' would be more natural.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the verb 'unthink' MOST appropriately used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very low-frequency verb. The adjective 'unthinkable' (meaning inconceivable or too bad to be considered) is the most common form.
'Forget' is passive and often accidental. 'Unthink' implies a conscious, active effort to remove a specific thought or idea from consideration, and it often fails.
It is grammatically possible but highly unnatural due to the word's meaning. It is almost always used in the infinitive ('to unthink'), imperative ('Unthink that!'), or past participle ('an unthought concept').
Not directly. Related nouns are 'unthinkability' or the gerund 'unthinking'. The process is often described as 'thought suppression' or 'conceptual erasure'.