incurable

adjective

in·​cur·​able (ˌ)in-ˈkyu̇r-ə-bəl 

: not curable

an incurable disease

broadly : not likely to be changed or corrected

incurable optimism

incurable noun

incurably

(ˌ)in-ˈkyu̇r-ə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms of incurable

• hopeless
• incorrigible

Examples of incurable in a Sentence

an incurable flirt at school dances

Recent Examples on the Web

In the psychological horror story, ambitious young psychiatrist Parker attempts to make a name for himself by treating Josephine Todd (Berry), the famously incurable patient at his hospital. —Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 27 Jan. 2026

Among them included a young girl who was diagnosed with a deadly and incurable glioblastoma at only 9 years old. —Isabella Backman, Hartford Courant, 27 Jan. 2026

In the field of medical science, CRISPR is still in its infancy – major breakthroughs were seen in 2019, and last year it was used for the first time to successfully treat a baby with an incurable genetic illness. —New Atlas, 25 Jan. 2026

Come See Me in the Good Light tells the story of two poets in love, Andrea Gibson and Megan Falley, as the former battles incurable ovarian cancer. —Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 22 Jan. 2026

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

Rhymes for incurable

• curable
• durable
• endurable
• insurable
• nondurable
• procurable
• unendurable

Kids Definition

incurable

adjective

in·​cur·​able (ˈ)in-ˈkyu̇r-ə-bəl 

: not capable of being cured

incurably

-blē 

adverb

Medical Definition

incurable

adjective

in·​cur·​able (ˈ)in-ˈkyu̇r-ə-bəl 

: impossible to cure

an incurable disease

incurably

-blē 

adverb