unenforceable

adjective

un·​en·​force·​able ˌən-in-ˈfȯr-sə-bəl How to pronounce unenforceable (audio)
-en-
: unable to be enforced : not enforceable
an unenforceable law/contract

Examples of unenforceable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web It’s been unenforceable for over half a century under fair housing law, but school board members voted Tuesday to take symbolic action. Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 24 Jan. 2024 The lawsuit, filed Thursday in Broward circuit court, asks the court to declare the resolution approving the developer’s deviations from the city’s downtown master plan as void and unenforceable. Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 5 Jan. 2024 Webb also said the new legislation’s attempt to crack down on amplified music could work in Balboa Park, but will be unenforceable in beach communities. David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Feb. 2024 That, as well as the Speaks Out Act that makes the nondisclosure act unenforceable, caused Grant to file the lawsuit. Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 25 Jan. 2024 In making its case to void Grant’s own NDA, the suit acknowledges that other NDAs signed by other women McMahon has attempted to silence may also be unenforceable. Vulture, 25 Jan. 2024 The judge, instead, should find the statute unenforceable and leave it to lawmakers to go back to the drawing board. Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 16 Dec. 2023 The bill would make many of these laws unenforceable, ending the practice in scores of communities. Liam Dillon, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2023 But the state and federal guideline is unenforceable as written and utilities are now under no obligation to test for 1,4-dioxane or report to the public when the chemical is found in drinking water. Kevin Spear, Orlando Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unenforceable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unenforceable was in 1868

Dictionary Entries Near unenforceable

Cite this Entry

“Unenforceable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unenforceable. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Legal Definition

unenforceable

adjective
un·​en·​force·​able
ˌən-in-ˈfȯr-sə-bəl
: not enforceable in a court
unenforceability
-ˌfȯr-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē
noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!