1
as in inaccessible
hard or impossible to get to or get at
an eagle's nest in an unattainable location
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Safe and efficient solar generation and storage technology currently exists that can give consumers relief from this increase, if policymakers eliminate unnecessary, antiquated and costly regulations that make this choice unattainable for Floridians.
—
Bob Norberg, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Jan. 2026
Mushrooms lend earthiness and veal stock adds something far more unattainable, like a warm memory that's been lost in your head forever.
—Keith Pandolfi, Cincinnati Enquirer, 28 Dec. 2025
The tone needs to be unattainable affluence or tongue-in-cheek, and Emily doesn’t know how to do either.
—Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2025
The 60 percent figure in New York City reflects the city's deepening economic inequality, making homeownership increasingly unattainable for many residents.
—Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unattainable
Bob Norberg, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Jan. 2026
Mushrooms lend earthiness and veal stock adds something far more unattainable, like a warm memory that's been lost in your head forever.
—Keith Pandolfi, Cincinnati Enquirer, 28 Dec. 2025
The tone needs to be unattainable affluence or tongue-in-cheek, and Emily doesn’t know how to do either.
—Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2025
The 60 percent figure in New York City reflects the city's deepening economic inequality, making homeownership increasingly unattainable for many residents.
—Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unattainable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unattainable
Adjective
-
The kitchen’s handwash sink was completely inaccessible with multiple child car seats and miscellaneous household items stacked in front of it.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
Updated January 23,
Sacbee.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Many studies are on hiatus, while data from a huge area is inaccessible or possibly not being collected.—
Lara Williams,
Twin Cities,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
But critical race theory and Black history are impossible to separate.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Officials warn that roads, especially bridges and overpasses, could become slick and hazardous, with travel conditions ranging from very difficult to potentially impossible late Saturday into early Sunday.—
Troy Bridges,
CBS News,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Citi Bike said starting at noon Sunday, all bikes will be temporarily locked and unavailable.—
Mark Prussin,
CBS News,
24 Jan. 2026
-
And for 911 calls, mobile phones can connect to any available cell signal — so if a carrier’s tower is unavailable, phones will automatically hop onto another provider’s network.—
Phil Helsel,
NBC news,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Near the end of the movie, there’s a heavy sense of dread—everyone feels hopeless, and exhausted.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Here is the regular guy who loves shooting hoops, who is hopeless with a hammer, who loves a self-deprecating story about walking into a glass wall or almost falling off a ladder, and whose wife, Lori, is always, always right.—
Gal Beckerman,
The Atlantic,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The result is a version of Lynch that feels both untouchable and essential, must-see television for longtime diehards and a new generation of fans alike.—
Carl Lamarre,
Billboard,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Both Barnes and Abrams previously were untouchable due to strong connections with ownership.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
In his case, the beloved was the unobtainable Beatrice Portinari, a wealthy banker’s daughter whom Dante claimed to have loved from their first meeting, when both were children—a bit of charming self-mythology—and steadily on until her untimely death, at twenty-four.—
Claudia Roth Pierpont,
New Yorker,
24 Nov. 2025
-
Phoenix deservedly earned most of the accolades, but Reeves is terrific as an unobtainable object of affection — inviting, enticing but unknowable.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
18 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unattainable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unattainable. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
