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

Examples of nonstarter in a Sentence

She's the leading scorer among the team's nonstarters.

Recent Examples on the Web

That fee was clearly a nonstarter for most shippers and oil companies. — Brian Sullivan, CNBC, 16 July 2026

So long as Hungary believes that the rights of Hungarian minority communities remain unsecured, the acceptance of thousands of new migrants will likewise remain a nonstarter for Magyar and his Tisza party. — Brett R. Chloupek, The Conversation, 15 July 2026

Several teams — including the Mercury and Seattle Storm — would likely be nonstarters due to her history with both organizations. — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2026

If the thought of wearing jeans right now is a nonstarter, opt for these pull-on baggy denim pants instead. — Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 12 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1865, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for nonstarter

• arter
• barter
• charter
• darter
• garter
• martyr
• smarter
• starter
• tartar