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 could unnerve bond investors, who are worried that Washington is on an unsustainable fiscal trajectory, Ed Yardeni, president of Yardeni Research, said in a note to investors. — Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026

The coastal recession is rendering some seaside regions structurally unsustainable, sending beach towns scrambling to quarry replacement sand. — Cindy Carcamo, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Nov. 2026

Small employers will be forced to either absorb these unsustainable expenses, reduce benefits or drop coverage altogether. — Glynn Frechette, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026

The state’s system is broken, unsustainable, and needs an overhaul. — Connie Neal, New York Daily News, 29 Oct. 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