unadoptable
adjective
un·adopt·able
ˌən-ə-ˈdäp-tə-bəl 
: not capable of being adopted especially because of having some undesirable trait : not adoptable
The older animals were considered unadoptable.
Examples of unadoptable in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The nonprofit is a refuge of last resort for unwanted, unadoptable and special needs animals, which include pythons, monitor lizards, skinks, iguanas, geckos, chameleons, turtles, tortoises and tarantulas.
—
San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2021
In 2017, Jessica had been working on their case, when they were deemed unadoptable by the judge.
—Kelly Corbett, House Beautiful, 15 Feb. 2020
The overly anxious boxer puppy was an unadoptable mess of a dog.
—Amy McRary, USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2018
Cristina's creatures run the gamut and include the unadoptable, some elderly pets, and those with such varied medical issues as bladder stones and heartworm-positive diagnoses.
—Christian Scaffidi, NOLA.com, 9 May 2018
In 1971, the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act gave the animals federal protections while allowing the interior secretary to sell or euthanize older and unadoptable animals.
—The Washington Post, NOLA.com, 6 May 2018
They are often deemed unadoptable because of their age.
—Kelli Bender, PEOPLE.com, 2 Feb. 2018
After sitting in a shelter cage for three months, the tuxedo cat was deemed unadoptable because of a wound between her shoulder blades that would not heal.
—Kaylee Remington, cleveland.com, 23 Dec. 2017
Philadelphia’s Animal Care and Control Team established the program about four years ago to place unadoptable cats — the biters and the skittish, the swatters and the ones who won’t use a litter box — into jobs as mousers at barns or stables.
—Washington Post, 18 Oct. 2017
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San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2021
In 2017, Jessica had been working on their case, when they were deemed unadoptable by the judge.
—Kelly Corbett, House Beautiful, 15 Feb. 2020
The overly anxious boxer puppy was an unadoptable mess of a dog.
—Amy McRary, USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2018
Cristina's creatures run the gamut and include the unadoptable, some elderly pets, and those with such varied medical issues as bladder stones and heartworm-positive diagnoses.
—Christian Scaffidi, NOLA.com, 9 May 2018
In 1971, the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act gave the animals federal protections while allowing the interior secretary to sell or euthanize older and unadoptable animals.
—The Washington Post, NOLA.com, 6 May 2018
They are often deemed unadoptable because of their age.
—Kelli Bender, PEOPLE.com, 2 Feb. 2018
After sitting in a shelter cage for three months, the tuxedo cat was deemed unadoptable because of a wound between her shoulder blades that would not heal.
—Kaylee Remington, cleveland.com, 23 Dec. 2017
Philadelphia’s Animal Care and Control Team established the program about four years ago to place unadoptable cats — the biters and the skittish, the swatters and the ones who won’t use a litter box — into jobs as mousers at barns or stables.
—Washington Post, 18 Oct. 2017
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unadoptable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1843, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near unadoptable
Cite this Entry
“Unadoptable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unadoptable. Accessed 22 Sep. 2023.
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