in·vi·a·ble
(ˌ)in-ˈvī-ə-bəl 
: incapable of surviving especially because of a deleterious genetic constitution
: inability to live
—used especially of a genetic constitution that precludes survival
inviability of intergeneric hybrids—
E. R. Sears
E. R. SearsExamples of inviable in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
ABC News, 9 June 2026
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
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
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Adjective
That same architect was originally hired to build the Sagrada Familia, but material costs made his neo-Gothic proposal inviable and the commission went to Gaudí.
—ABC News, 9 June 2026
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
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
Cite this Entry
“Inviable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inviable. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
inviable
adjective
in·vi·a·ble
(ˈ)in-ˈvī-ə-bəl
: incapable of surviving especially because of a deleterious genetic constitution
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