UNAFFORDABLE Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

unaffordable

adjective

Definition of unaffordable

as in exorbitant

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of unaffordable More than half of the state’s households — roughly 4 million — are living paycheck to paycheck, making Florida one of the most unaffordable states in the nation. — Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2026 Infant tuition for two had already been unaffordable, so the family placed the 1-year-olds with a nanny instead, at $7,000 a month. — Kate Sequeira, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026 Where college grads can’t find work, where housing is unaffordable for 75% of the population, where families must choose between paying rent or paying doctors bills? — S.e. Cupp, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026 For many mortgage borrowers, the trouble begins with an unexpected financial setback, not with an unaffordable loan. — Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unaffordable

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unaffordable

Adjective

Legendary sports agent Leigh Steinberg explained that while Watson has hurt the Browns on the field with his play, his exorbitant contract has crippled the team's salary-cap flexibility.

— Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026
France’s own prime minister has warned that reneging on the national debt would force the country to borrow at exorbitant interest rates, just as the government must turn to the bond market to raise more than $360 billion this year.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of exorbitant

Adjective

The Rams are prohibitive favorites by oddsmakers to win the Super Bowl after Donald rejoined the team Sunday following a two-year retirement.

— ABC News, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026
Regrettably, his mother was unable to attend the match in person due to the prohibitive cost of visa fees.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of prohibitive

Adjective

In recent days, the United States proposed new terms that were uneconomic, unfair and undermine the net benefits for Canada, and called into question the reliability of any deal.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026
Chinese mega profits have almost been wiped out while production in Germany has become uneconomic.

— Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of uneconomic

Adjective

The imposition of the tariffs stemmed from a breakdown in negotiations between the two countries in August, with each claiming the other side had unreasonable requests that would be detrimental to their respective country’s workers.

— Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 8 Sep. 2026
Drop one task that doesn’t need to happen today, and ask for clarification if a deadline feels unreasonable.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of unreasonable

Adjective

David Greene was a bravura visualist, using expensive helicopter shots to capture us running through Central Park’s Sheep Meadow and dancing atop one of the World Trade Center towers.

— Victor Garber, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2026
That could become increasingly important for advanced military engines, where complex components and relatively small production runs can make traditional manufacturing processes time-consuming and expensive.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of expensive

Adjective

But drops, penalties and turnovers repeatedly stalled FIU’s momentum and ultimately proved too costly to overcome.

— Alejandro Hernandez, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2026
Turning the park into an upscale golf course will mean costlier fees and a loss of public space, residents worry.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of costly

Adjective

For people feeling strapped by steep costs, the 60/30/10 budget can offer a more forgiving framework to follow.

— Becca Stanek, TheWeek, 7 Sep. 2026
Putin, for his part, did not publicly signal any movement from his previous steep demands, which seek major concessions from Ukraine.

— Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of steep

Browse Nearby Words

unaffluent

unaffordable

unafraid

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Unaffordable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unaffordable. Accessed 18 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of unaffordable

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

churlish

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 18

Popular

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes