incurable

adjective

in·​cur·​able (ˌ)in-ˈkyu̇r-ə-bəl How to pronounce incurable (audio)
: not curable
an incurable disease
broadly : not likely to be changed or corrected
incurable optimism
incurable noun
incurably adverb

Examples of incurable in a Sentence

an incurable flirt at school dances
Recent Examples on the Web The new alternatives boast reduced levels of crystalline silica, a mineral that can cause an incurable disease called silicosis if workers inhale tiny particles of dust from cutting and grinding stone. Emily Alpert Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2024 It was written by the Oregon Right to Die Political Action Committee and petitioned by a former nurse, a doctor, and a man whose wife suffered from an incurable and painful heart condition. Jennifer Cloer, Vogue, 11 Oct. 2024 Three of their four children were diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, an incurable degenerative disease that eventually results in near-total loss of vision. Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 3 Oct. 2024 The rare, incurable condition caused Dion to suffer from excruciating muscle spasms, and difficulty walking and breathing for years before she was diagnosed with SPS. Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 17 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for incurable 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'incurable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Late Latin; Anglo-French, from Late Latin incurabilis, from Latin in- + curabilis curable

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of incurable was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near incurable

Cite this Entry

“Incurable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incurable. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

incurable

adjective
in·​cur·​able (ˈ)in-ˈkyu̇r-ə-bəl How to pronounce incurable (audio)
: not capable of being cured
incurably adverb

Medical Definition

incurable

adjective
in·​cur·​able (ˈ)in-ˈkyu̇r-ə-bəl How to pronounce incurable (audio)
: impossible to cure
an incurable disease
incurably adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on incurable

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