unsustainable

adjective

un·​sus·​tain·​able ˌən-sə-ˈstā-nə-bəl 

: not capable of being prolonged or continued : not sustainable

unsustainable agricultural practices

unsustainable growth

unsustainability

ˌən-sə-ˌstā-nə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

unsustainably

ˌən-sə-ˈstā-nə-blē 

adverb

an unsustainably high rate of growth

Examples of unsustainable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That means building dense, walkable neighborhoods around stations — or risk low ridership and unsustainable operations. —Tina Li, Sacbee.com, 14 Aug. 2025

But when combined with the 24/7/365 transfer portal, unlimited player movement and immediate eligibility, the situation was unsustainable. —Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 8 Aug. 2025

Downtown Home & Garden, a century-old staple in Ann Arbor’s retail landscape, will close its doors for good on Dec. 24, citing unsustainable financial pressures, including rising rent, declining consumer spending and lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. —Nour Rahal, Freep.com, 7 Aug. 2025

Dissent among the Moscow elite could rise at how the Kremlin has dismissed diplomatic off-ramps in its war of choice, in favor of military doggedness and an unsustainable proxy conflict with NATO. —Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1677, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unsustainable

• attainable
• explainable
• maintainable
• obtainable
• sustainable
• ascertainable
• unattainable
• unexplainable
• unobtainable
• trainable