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

Arcellx is developing a new class of immunotherapies for patients with cancer and other incurable diseases. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 23 Feb. 2026

Arcellx focuses on immunotherapies for patients with cancer and others with incurable diseases. —Scott Schnipper, CNBC, 23 Feb. 2026

By the time Jackson was honored at the 2024 Democratic Convention, his once-thundering voice was silenced by an incurable neurological disorder. —Mark Whitaker, CBS News, 22 Feb. 2026

The currently incurable condition, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, is a progressive and fatal nerve disease that eventually leads to the loss of muscle control, including the patient's ability to breathe, per the Mayo Clinic. —Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Feb. 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