unattainable

adjective

ˌən-ə-ˈtā-nə-bəl How to pronounce unattainable (audio)
Definition of unattainablenext
1
as in inaccessible
hard or impossible to get to or get at an eagle's nest in an unattainable location

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in impossible
incapable of being solved or accomplished unfortunately, world peace is probably an unattainable ideal

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 unattainable Seismic standards remain, but seem unattainable with the current setup. — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2026 If that feels unattainable, though, Baldino’s other spots are equally excellent and open to anyone. — Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 21 Sep. 2026 For leaders, this means exercise is a critical tool to maintain cognitive function when perfect sleep is unattainable. — Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 Rachel and Monica’s West Village sublet gave way to Hannah and Marnie’s Greenpoint apartment—an address that might be considered laughably unattainable by the broke twentysomethings of today. — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unattainable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unattainable
  1. inaccessible
  2. impossible
  3. unavailable
  4. hopeless
  5. untouchable
  6. unobtainable
Adjective
  • The match was originally scheduled to take place in Jamaica, where Haiti has been playing its home games due to armed gangs making its stadium inaccessible after taking over large swaths of Port-au-Prince.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Los Angeles’ job centers, while disparate, can still be inaccessible from neighboring counties.
    — Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of inaccessible
Adjective
  • Serhii Beskrestnov, a defense technology adviser to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said long-standing restrictions on the civilian system in Ukraine made such offensive use impossible.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The two versions of Israel that could result are so divergent as to seem impossible to reconcile.
    — Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of impossible
Adjective
  • Officials and spokesmen from around the state and various agencies couldn't be unavailable enough for comment.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Within that given territory, a team’s games are unavailable on the NBA’s out-of-market, $110/season League Pass product.
    — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of unavailable
Adjective
  • On Monday, a day after the Colts lost to the winless and hopeless Tennessee Titans at home, Indianapolis announced that Ballard has been relieved of his duties as team general manager.
    — Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Colonel Brandon Herbert Nordrum Nordrum plays Colonel Brandon as a sad, hopeless yet smoldering sleeper suitor who can’t take his eyes off of Marianne.
    — Reshma Gopaldas, IndieWire, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of hopeless
Adjective
  • Like Ambedkar, 30-year-old CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke is a Dalit, or untouchable within the Hindu caste system.
    — Amrita Basu, The Conversation, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Sure enough, the Brewers untouchable bullpen immediately got to work, getting a shutdown inning as JoJo Romero got Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman in order on just 12 pitches.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of untouchable
Adjective
  • Many residents were able to buy solar panels, household generators, satellite internet service, and other theretofore unobtainable luxuries.
    — Belén Fernández, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Other drugs are completely unobtainable, leaving Iran’s sick facing astronomically higher prices or a less effective generic version.
    — Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of unobtainable

Browse Nearby Words

unattainability
unattainable
unattended
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Cite this Entry

“Unattainable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unattainable. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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