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 The Spéirling Pure represents an unprecedented level of performance that was previously believed to be physically unattainable for a production car. — New Atlas, 11 July 2026 Under the Biden administration, mortgage rates and building costs have skyrocketed, making the American Dream of homeownership unattainable for an entire generation. — Scott Singer, Sun Sentinel, 9 July 2026 The Ramones stood on stage not as rock gods or unattainable heroes, but as oddballs, misfits, and fellow outcasts in torn jeans. — Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026 So instead of a clear path forward at a time of heightened uncertainty, Xbox has a vague and seemingly unattainable goal in front of it. — Andrew Webster, The Verge, 7 July 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 thrilling, beguiling work lasted for a hypnotic three hours; this was merely its second act, with the third, a 60-minute-long bow staged in a part of the Whitney that’s inaccessible to the public, following afterward.
    — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • But Cossel warned that that could change as fire activity subsides and search crews gain access to devastated areas that remain inaccessible.
    — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of inaccessible
Adjective
  • After crashing, the plane caught fire, making any rescue impossible, according to ​Peruvian broadcaster RPP.
    — Joe Kottke, NBC news, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Manufacturing meth on-island is pretty much impossible — there aren’t many places to hide a meth lab — so most meth that reaches Hawaii comes from the mainland, as is the case with most products consumed on the islands.
    — Guthrie Scrimgeour, Rolling Stone, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of impossible
Adjective
  • Center backs Maxi Falcon and Gonzalo Lujan remained unavailable while recovering from calf strains.
    — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Cases can be delayed Chief Deputy District Attorney Wendell Emerson said courthouse ICE arrests can delay criminal cases when defendants become unavailable but said prosecutors have tools to continue pursuing cases.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of unavailable
Adjective
  • Yet their portrait of the artist as a hopeless snot-nosed punk doesn’t seem interested in knowing who this guy was past being another dude in search of a purpose.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Echoing her sentiments, Shaharier remembered feeling hopeless when his baby boy was born so early.
    — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026
Definition of hopeless
Adjective
  • At the start of the summer, Infantino seemed untouchable but there is a mood of mutiny in the air.
    — Simon Hughes, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Of course for many—especially those with children—the kitchen’s role as the emotional hearth of the home remains untouchable.
    — Elyse Moody, Architectural Digest, 27 July 2026
Definition of untouchable
Adjective
  • Had the agency not restructured its mission plans, NASA's goal of landing astronauts on the moon before the end of the decade would have very likely been unobtainable.
    — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 26 June 2026
  • There is Tamara, a city where signs symbolize unobtainable meanings.
    — David Frum, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 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 7 Aug. 2026.

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