incurable

adjective

in·​cur·​able (ˌ)in-ˈkyu̇r-ə-bəl 

: not curable

an incurable disease

broadly : not likely to be changed or corrected

incurable optimism

incurable noun

incurably

(ˌ)in-ˈkyu̇r-ə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms of incurable

• hopeless
• incorrigible

Examples of incurable in a Sentence

an incurable flirt at school dances

Recent Examples on the Web

Come See Me in the Good Light tells the story of two poets in love, Andrea Gibson and Megan Falley, as the former battles incurable ovarian cancer. —Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 22 Jan. 2026

This comes after reports that King Charles’ cancer is incurable, but considered to be manageable. —Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 22 Jan. 2026

Doctors still debate the value of PSAs — some don’t recommend the tests even as many urologists and advocates say a lack of PSA screening has led in recent years to an outbreak of incurable metastatic prostate cancer, the kind President Biden has. —Howard Wolinsky, STAT, 21 Jan. 2026

Torney was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, an incurable blood cancer with recurring tumors that eat away at bone marrow, damaging bones and the immune system. —Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Late Latin; Anglo-French, from Late Latin incurabilis, from Latin in- + curabilis curable

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for incurable

• curable
• durable
• endurable
• insurable
• nondurable
• procurable
• unendurable

Kids Definition

incurable

adjective

in·​cur·​able (ˈ)in-ˈkyu̇r-ə-bəl 

: not capable of being cured

incurably

-blē 

adverb

Medical Definition

incurable

adjective

in·​cur·​able (ˈ)in-ˈkyu̇r-ə-bəl 

: impossible to cure

an incurable disease

incurably

-blē 

adverb