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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unattainable
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
This repetitive, cyclic failure to grasp the gulf between the two warring sides – hammered out in two separate negotiating tracks – is ultimately why progress always seems so close, yet also so unattainable.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 28 Nov. 2025
But athletic departments are willing to spend it in exchange for a shot at national recognition that is increasingly unattainable in the revenue-sharing world of football and men’s basketball.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Nov. 2025
When cosmetic patients chase an unattainable ideal of beauty due to a mental health condition like body dysmorphic disorder or severe depression, Sarwer says Botox and other procedures don't improve their symptoms.
—NPR, 17 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unattainable
Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025
This repetitive, cyclic failure to grasp the gulf between the two warring sides – hammered out in two separate negotiating tracks – is ultimately why progress always seems so close, yet also so unattainable.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 28 Nov. 2025
But athletic departments are willing to spend it in exchange for a shot at national recognition that is increasingly unattainable in the revenue-sharing world of football and men’s basketball.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Nov. 2025
When cosmetic patients chase an unattainable ideal of beauty due to a mental health condition like body dysmorphic disorder or severe depression, Sarwer says Botox and other procedures don't improve their symptoms.
—NPR, 17 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unattainable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unattainable
Adjective
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The pier is inaccessible to divers when cruise ships are at port, so check with local dive shops for availability in advance.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Jan. 2026
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The stretch of river that’s home to the Bloomfield Cod is inaccessible to most visitors – but not remote enough to guarantee the cod’s safety.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN Money,
27 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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While Houston’s rally wasn’t quite as explosive, the Texans pulled off what once seemed impossible.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
10 Nov. 2025
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There are great catches and there are impossible catches.—
The Athletic College Football Staff,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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During its closure, all services rendered at city hall will be unavailable, the post said, including municipal court and utility billing.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
7 Jan. 2026
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In addition to filling your bird feeders with seed and suet, providing birds with water is often overlooked, especially in winter when ice and snow make other water sources unavailable.—
Rita Pelczar,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Things take a turn for the whimsical when, with the help of some lightning — and later, Taffy’s tanning bed — Lisa finds a companion in an undead, Victorian-era Cole Sprouse, a hopeless romantic who communicates exclusively in grunts, and whose devotion to Lisa knows no bounds.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
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The Jets are hopeless, with head coach Aaron Glenn pushing back on reporters weekly and owner Woody Johnson tossing his $40 million quarterback, Justin Fields, under the bus after another rough outing.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Any move would take long-term planning and a significant shift from the previous internal thought that Garrett simply is untouchable.—
Zac Jackson,
New York Times,
5 Nov. 2025
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Schefter recently reported that those three names have drawn the most trade interest around the league, while rookie quarterback Cam Ward and defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons remain untouchable.—
Evan Dammarell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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 9 Jan. 2026.
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