unobtainable

adjective

un·​ob·​tain·​able ˌən-əb-ˈtā-nə-bəl How to pronounce unobtainable (audio)
-äb-
: not capable of being obtained : not available : not obtainable
an unobtainable objective
a gem so rare as to be virtually unobtainable

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 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

Time Traveler
The first known use of unobtainable was in 1653

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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