unobtainable
adjective
un·ob·tain·able
ˌən-əb-ˈtā-nə-bəl 
-äb-
: not capable of being obtained : not available : not obtainable
an unobtainable objective
a gem so rare as to be virtually unobtainable
Synonyms
Examples of unobtainable in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Fans of sneakers and single malts are all too familiar unobtainable releases.
—
Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 27 Apr. 2023
From the other, adamant rejection of any measures that would make some guns unobtainable or subject buyers to more scrutiny, and accusations that Democrats want to trample Constitutional rights.
—Todd J. Gillman, Dallas News, 11 May 2023
Although unobtainable in mainland China until the 1980s, most of Chang’s works are now freely available, and a film or television show based on her work is released every few years.
—Lisa Movius, Washington Post, 3 May 2023
And the genius of Jesse is, even in death, Logan is unobtainable.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2023
The Venus, with its fleshy butt and ample stomach would have been the unobtainable body standard for women of the day.
—Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 29 Aug. 2022
The smaller skiffs lining the pier sit unused, with kerosene unobtainable.
—Washington Post, 17 Apr. 2022
For the majority, reaching full remission is unobtainable.
—Troy Farah, Discover Magazine, 2 Mar. 2018
Fortunately for readers, the author doesn’t just look to the distant and possibly unobtainable past; many of the later vintages covered toward the end of the book are still in the market.
—Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 22 Dec. 2022
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Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 27 Apr. 2023
From the other, adamant rejection of any measures that would make some guns unobtainable or subject buyers to more scrutiny, and accusations that Democrats want to trample Constitutional rights.
—Todd J. Gillman, Dallas News, 11 May 2023
Although unobtainable in mainland China until the 1980s, most of Chang’s works are now freely available, and a film or television show based on her work is released every few years.
—Lisa Movius, Washington Post, 3 May 2023
And the genius of Jesse is, even in death, Logan is unobtainable.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2023
The Venus, with its fleshy butt and ample stomach would have been the unobtainable body standard for women of the day.
—Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 29 Aug. 2022
The smaller skiffs lining the pier sit unused, with kerosene unobtainable.
—Washington Post, 17 Apr. 2022
For the majority, reaching full remission is unobtainable.
—Troy Farah, Discover Magazine, 2 Mar. 2018
Fortunately for readers, the author doesn’t just look to the distant and possibly unobtainable past; many of the later vintages covered toward the end of the book are still in the market.
—Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 22 Dec. 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unobtainable.' 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
1653, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near unobtainable
Cite this Entry
“Unobtainable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unobtainable. Accessed 2 Dec. 2023.
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