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

For the moment, the Defense Department’s investments are operating in a legal morass that lawmakers in both parties see as unsustainable. — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 21 Sep. 2026

But the lack of consistent guidelines has led to unsustainable bidding wars between schools offering seven-figure salaries. — The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026

Ferrandino warned Medicaid is growing at nearly twice the rate of the General Fund and is unsustainable even if the state's spending caps under the Taxpayer Bill of Rights are eliminated. — Shaun Boyd, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026

Other research has shown, however, that these efforts probably can offset only a small fraction of the unsustainable extraction in the valley. — Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 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