unwinnable

adjective

un·​win·​na·​ble ˌən-ˈwi-nə-bəl How to pronounce unwinnable (audio)
: incapable of being won
an unwinnable struggle
also : impregnable
an unwinnable fortress

Examples of unwinnable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Bengals are still 2-0 after a 31-27 win over the Jaguars (who are a mess of their own), but losing Burrow for significant time feels like an unwinnable scenario. Chris Branch, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025 Another congressional Democrat at the news conference whose district was made virtually unwinnable was 20-year House veteran Al Green of Houston. John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 1 Aug. 2025 In both cases, the majority found those trying to enforce their rights had been placed in unwinnable Catch−22 situations. Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 12 July 2025 Others worried that legal hurdles could make a court battle unwinnable. Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for unwinnable

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1540, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unwinnable was circa 1540

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Cite this Entry

“Unwinnable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unwinnable. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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