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unsustainably

unsustainably

1 6.5
In a way that uses too much of what we need or causes harm so it cannot continue
  • adverb
  • /ˌʌn.səˈsteɪ.nə.bli/
translation icon : de manera insostenible
  • Many practices in the industry are done unsustainably, leading to resource depletion.

Hindenburg argued that the company's valuation was pumped up because it paid unsustainably high dividends funded by investments from new investors.

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Examples

  • Unfortunately, the problem of unsustainably high and oppressive property taxes is not a local one.

    Blog text (13)
  • The use of water in farming was managed unsustainably, risking future crop yields.

  • Right now we are operating unsustainably.

    Blog text (5)
  • If we continue to operate unsustainably, then in 50 or 60 years, the US, Japan, and Europe will be in bad shape.

    Blog text (7)
  • So every industry is structured unsustainably.

    Blog text (34)
  • Fortunately, the fact is that we can stop consuming resources unsustainably and wrecking our environment while still making our lives better.

    Blog text (1)
  • It kind of clouds the basic problem: by using our resources unsustainably, we will end up destroying ourselves.

    Blog text (25)
  • However, if consumer spending isn't slowing and labor markets are unsustainably hot, then progress could have stalled.

  • Prisons make up about one-fifth of our state's unsustainably bloated budget.

    Blog text (10)
  • Groundwater overdrafts would be phased out in countries and regions that previously pumped groundwater unsustainably.

    Academic text (2003)

Antonyms

8 4.2

In a way that does not harm nature or use up resources and can continue for a long time

How Sustainable

permanently
218 2.9
sustainably
8 4.2
unsustainably
1 6.5
temporarily
222 3.2

Surface Forms

unsustainably positive

Morphology

unsustainably = unsustainable (transparent) = un + sustain + able + ly

The adverb is formed by adding '-ly' to 'unsustainable', which is transparently derived from 'sustain' + '-able' with 'un-'.

Etymology

The word unsustainably starts with un- meaning 'not' and comes from sustain, which means 'to hold up' or 'keep going'. So, to do something unsustainably is to do it in a way that cannot be 'held up' or kept going without harm or using up resources.