nonstarter
noun
non·start·er
ˌnän-ˈstär-tər 
1
: one that does not start
2
: someone or something that is not productive or effective
… his son has been, in politics a nonstarter …—
Anthony Lejeune
Anthony LejeuneExamples of nonstarter in a Sentence
She's the leading scorer among the team's nonstarters.
Recent Examples on the Web
Carter said that Kiffin and his reps were given several weeks’ notice that coaching the Rebels in any potential playoff games was effectively a nonstarter.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 16 Dec. 2025
Democrats have pushed a three-year extension without reforms — a nonstarter with Republicans.
—Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 12 Dec. 2025
It’s destined to fail, as Republicans say a clean extension is a nonstarter.
—Joseph Choi, The Hill, 8 Dec. 2025
But the film’s glowing reception was overshadowed by poor box office and headlines around Sweeney’s controversial American Eagle jeans campaign, and ultimately has been a nonstarter this awards season.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 8 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nonstarter
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Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 16 Dec. 2025
Democrats have pushed a three-year extension without reforms — a nonstarter with Republicans.
—Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 12 Dec. 2025
It’s destined to fail, as Republicans say a clean extension is a nonstarter.
—Joseph Choi, The Hill, 8 Dec. 2025
But the film’s glowing reception was overshadowed by poor box office and headlines around Sweeney’s controversial American Eagle jeans campaign, and ultimately has been a nonstarter this awards season.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 8 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nonstarter
Cite this Entry
“Nonstarter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonstarter. Accessed 20 Dec. 2025.
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