unplayable
adjective
un·play·able
ˌən-ˈplā-ə-bəl 
: not capable of being played or suitable to be played : not playable
a golf course rendered unplayable by heavy rains
dealt an unplayable card
music so complex as to be almost unplayable
Service is my strong point at tennis. I am inaccurate, but vigorous, and occasionally send in a quite unplayable shot.—
P. G. Wodehouse
P. G. Wodehousefound the ball in an unplayable lie [=a position that does not allow a shot to be made]
Examples of unplayable in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Healthcare coverage is at an all-time low-higher, unplayable premiums, closing facilities and less physician choices being offered.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
His 2025 campaign is described as highly erratic month to month, with wRC+ levels ranging from 23 in May (basically unplayable) to 240 in March/April (elite), and strikeout rates swinging between 12 percent and 25 percent.
—Derek Vanriper, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Reed designed GolfTRK after growing tired of the Midwest’s propensity to make golf courses unplayable during much of the winter.
—Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 10 Feb. 2026
While Mara has starred for the Wolverines, Booker has been almost unplayable in recent weeks in terms of defense, rebounding and hustle.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unplayable
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
His 2025 campaign is described as highly erratic month to month, with wRC+ levels ranging from 23 in May (basically unplayable) to 240 in March/April (elite), and strikeout rates swinging between 12 percent and 25 percent.
—Derek Vanriper, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Reed designed GolfTRK after growing tired of the Midwest’s propensity to make golf courses unplayable during much of the winter.
—Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 10 Feb. 2026
While Mara has starred for the Wolverines, Booker has been almost unplayable in recent weeks in terms of defense, rebounding and hustle.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unplayable
Cite this Entry
“Unplayable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unplayable. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
