inviable

adjective

in·​vi·​a·​ble (ˌ)in-ˈvī-ə-bəl How to pronounce inviable (audio)
: incapable of surviving especially because of a deleterious genetic constitution

Examples of inviable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Only toward the end of the book does Gates acknowledge that the business of personal computers (including Microsoft’s) would have been inviable without decades of R&D support, made possible by taxpayers through grants from the National Science Foundation. Reid Singer, Outside Online, 24 Feb. 2021 It is largely believed peppers developed capsaicin as a defense mechanism to prevent animals — likely rodents, whose grinding teeth render seeds inviable — from eating them. Amy Drew Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 18 Nov. 2022 However, while both early embryos and late fetuses can become inviable due to genetic errors, early and late abortions are regulated very differently. Kathryn Kavanagh, The Conversation, 1 Sep. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inviable.' 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

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1918, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of inviable was in 1918

Dictionary Entries Near inviable

Cite this Entry

“Inviable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inviable. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

inviable

adjective
in·​vi·​a·​ble (ˈ)in-ˈvī-ə-bəl How to pronounce inviable (audio)
: incapable of surviving especially because of a deleterious genetic constitution
inviability noun
plural inviabilities
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!