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

By the early 1980s, rising global interest rates made their debt unsustainable. — Michael Pettis, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026

Although that number was inherently unsustainable, the biggest problem isn’t that a district that has experienced significant enrollment decline was planning to reduce its teaching force. — David Griffith, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026

Raman contends that Bass’ signature program Inside Safe, which dismantles encampments and moves people living there into motels, hotels and interim housing, is overly expensive and unsustainable. — Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026

There is no justification for American deaths in the name of the unsustainable and impractical goal of total military dominance, let alone unnecessary wars of choice. — Alexander Langlois, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026

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