unworkable

adjective

un·​work·​able ˌən-ˈwər-kə-bəl How to pronounce unworkable (audio)
: not workable : impractical
an unworkable plan/solution
unworkability noun
unworkably adverb

Examples of unworkable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The snow and high winds made for hazardous or unworkable conditions at various ski resorts. Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2024 But if Congress one day ended the federal payments, critics said, state governments could be suddenly saddled with unworkable new bills. Kiara Brantley-Jones, ABC News, 1 Feb. 2024 Renting scooters might be an unworkable business idea. Shira Ovide, Washington Post, 22 Dec. 2023 Senior Israelis have previously pushed the idea of unaffiliated clan leaders taking charge of many government functions, which critics dismiss as an unworkable alliance with inexperienced locals who would be seen as Israeli proxies. Steve Hendrix, Washington Post, 23 Feb. 2024 For states where Lyme cases number in the hundreds or thousands, that requirement had become unworkable, Kugeler said. Helen Branswell, STAT, 15 Feb. 2024 Even if the tactics and implementation had been better, the DeSantis strategy proved unworkable. The Editors, National Review, 22 Jan. 2024 The Rwanda plan is a bold — critics say unworkable, unlawful — proposal to deter people from crossing the English Channel in small rubber rafts by quickly sending those who land in Britain to Africa. William Booth, Washington Post, 18 Jan. 2024 The majority of the committee rejected the first option as unjust and the second option as unworkable. Emily Bazelon, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2024

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

Word History

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unworkable was in 1839

Dictionary Entries Near unworkable

Cite this Entry

“Unworkable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unworkable. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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