unsustainable

adjective

un·​sus·​tain·​able ˌən-sə-ˈstā-nə-bəl How to pronounce unsustainable (audio)
Synonyms of unsustainablenext
: not capable of being prolonged or continued : not sustainable
unsustainable agricultural practices
unsustainable growth
unsustainability noun
unsustainably adverb
an unsustainably high rate of growth

Examples of unsustainable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Disadvantages Litigation is slow and college leaders warn that the current system is unsustainable—even as college sports revenues continue to rise. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 10 Mar. 2026 Fuller’s sentiments about ongoing fissures in college sports reflect growing concerns across the industry that the current financial model is unsustainable. Eric Prisbell, Dallas Morning News, 5 Mar. 2026 American planners are well aware that this is an unsustainable rate of trade, which is why both Israel and the United States have made destroying ballistic-missile launchers a top priority. Brynn Tannehill, The Atlantic, 4 Mar. 2026 New Destiny, New York City’s leading developer of supportive and affordable housing for domestic violence survivors and their children, used its enhanced NYSSHP funds to hire additional staff and to lower case management ratios from an unsustainable one case worker for every 56 residents. Cordell Cleare, New York Daily News, 3 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unsustainable

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1677, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unsustainable was circa 1677

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Cite this Entry

“Unsustainable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unsustainable. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.

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