untreatable

adjective un·treat·able \ ˌən-ˈtrē-tə-bəl \

Updated on: 3 May 2018

Definition of untreatable

: not yielding or responsive to medical treatment : not treatable

an untreatable disease

These infections cause an untreatable degeneration of the nervous system …
—Jared Diamond

The location of the cancer rendered him untreatable by further surgery.
—Nancy J. Kubel

—

untreatably

play \ˌən-ˈtrē-tə-blē\ adverb

Recent Examples of untreatable from the Web

More careful use of antibiotics could help avoid a near-untreatable strain of S. typhi emerging.

— The Economist, "A strain of typhoid could become virtually untreatable," 26 Apr. 2018
However, a subsequent visit to Alfie and consultation with his doctors led the Roman doctors to conclude that the child's condition is irreversible and untreatable, according to a statement from Alder Hey.

— susan scutti, CNN, "British toddler Alfie Evans' fate to be decided by UK High Court," 25 Apr. 2018
The scientists also found antibiotic-resistant bacteria like those that have become nearly untreatable at area hospitals.

— karen weintraub, New York Times, "New York Mice Are Crawling With Dangerous Bacteria and Viruses," 17 Apr. 2018
Experts have identified only one remaining oral antibiotic — azithromycin — to combat it; one more genetic mutation could make typhoid untreatable in some areas.

— emily baumgaertner, New York Times, "‘We’re Out of Options’: Doctors Battle Drug-Resistant Typhoid Outbreak," 13 Apr. 2018
This video, produced by the CDC, outlines the dangers out untreatable gonorrhea.

— lauren castle, azcentral, "U.K. man contracts drug-resistant gonorrhea; Arizona sees rise in cases," 6 Apr. 2018
An Innovent listing would tap into investor interest in the fast-growing area of biopharmaceuticals, which are often more complex to research and manufacture than chemical drugs and can sometimes address previously untreatable conditions.

— Bloomberg.com, "Capital Group Eyes Pre-IPO Stake in China Biotech Unicorn," 15 Jan. 2018
Many more of us are going to be living on the knife's edge soon, wondering if the next new federal or state policy will plunge us into poverty, or make our illnesses financially untreatable, or kill us.

— kashana cauley, Esquire, "The 2016 Canon: Atlanta Pointed a Lens at an America on the Poverty Line," 15 Dec. 2016
Two percent that are determined to be too aggressive or too sick -- and untreatable -- are euthanized, according to the organization.

— aimee green, OregonLive.com, "110 dogs, 1 cat who were at risk of euthanization in Oklahoma, fly to safety in Oregon," 10 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'untreatable.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of untreatable

1865

in the meaning defined above

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Medical Dictionary

untreatable

adjective un·treat·able \ -ˈtrēt-ə-bəl \

medical Definition of untreatable

: not susceptible to medical treatment

untreatable patients

an untreatable disease

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untreatable

Definition of untreatable

untreatably

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untreatable

medical Definition of untreatable

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