nonstarter
6
6.4
- noun
- /ˈnɒnˌstɑːrtər/
:
idea inviable
- Any idea that one can make different peoples into a nation by suppressing the religious, tribal, regional, or other affiliations to which they themselves attach the highest political significance is simply a nonstarter.
Examples
-
If we are prepared to say that the Supreme Court was reasonable in judicially revising the ACA because sending it back to Congress would be a nonstarter, then we should be prepared to say that, as a result of increasing congressional dysfunction.
Academic text (2017) -
And sadly, it's a nonstarter in the US, at least until we have a political sea change in our thinking.
Blog text (11) -
That's a nonstarter for economic reasons.
Blog text (16) -
Some advocates of American leadership argue for increasing defense expenditures by 50 percent, but that is a nonstarter.
Academic text (1999) -
But a reasonable assessment of where the burden of proof lies is going to be a nonstarter if we can't even agree on that.
Blog text (9) -
The AP article says damage caps are likely to be a "nonstarter," but other ideas under discussion include alternative dispute resolution and special health courts.
Blog text (34) -
As such, a proposition for wireless neutrality would be a nonstarter.
Blog text (15) -
Second, raising taxes is typically a political nonstarter; in a system serving an extremely needy population, there is perpetually the need to do more with far less than would be ideal.
Blog text (14) -
The EU has enough on its plate sustaining its commitments to the western Balkans and Turkey; anything beyond that is probably a nonstarter for the time being.
Academic text (2008) -
Any proposal that doesn't address climate change is a nonstarter for many lawmakers.
Synonyms
39
4.9
Something that has no chance of success
10
7.5
An idea or plan that is unlikely to happen
An unimportant suggestion that people do not take seriously
Antonyms
How Viable
∞
2.1
∞
1.0
817
2.9
- Informal
58
4.6
6
6.4
- Informal
23
6.8
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Nonstarter comes from non- ('not') + starter, and from the racing idea of not beginning it now describes any plan or idea that will not get going. That's why a proposal called a nonstarter is seen as unacceptable or unlikely to succeed.