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
The latter is a nonstarter for William, who blames the Army, especially Captain Ezekiel Richardson, for Jane’s death.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
House Speaker Mike Johnson has said appeals for a mask ban and judicial warrant requirements are nonstarters.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 1 Mar. 2026
Democrats in the Senate say the bill is a nonstarter.
—Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026
For many California trial attorneys, ideas such as these are nonstarters.
—Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nonstarter
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Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
House Speaker Mike Johnson has said appeals for a mask ban and judicial warrant requirements are nonstarters.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 1 Mar. 2026
Democrats in the Senate say the bill is a nonstarter.
—Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026
For many California trial attorneys, ideas such as these are nonstarters.
—Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nonstarter
Cite this Entry
“Nonstarter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonstarter. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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