unsustainable
45
5.0
- adjective
- /ˌʌnˈsəsteɪnəbl/
:
insostenible
- The Treasury Department is very clear that we are on an unsustainable path of debt accumulation.
- unsustainable development
- unsustainable practices
- economically unsustainable
And that has created a really unsustainable situation economically.
- And that has created a really unsustainable situation economically.
- Our small businesses don't deserve to be bankrupted by unsustainable tariffs.
- to live our lives. And we are now witnessing the breakdown of unsustainable ways of life.
- Don't tell me they didn't know that they were practicing an unsustainable behaviour.
- College debt is at a place that is so unsustainable.
- The Treasury Department is very clear that we are on an unsustainable path of debt accumulation.
- Let me not set myself up to fail by creating a rhythm here that is unsustainable.
Examples
-
And that has created a really unsustainable situation economically.
-
To them, our way of life is unsustainable.
-
That is completely unsustainable and that is not a healthy market.
-
Even though we're on an unsustainable path right now.
-
But it's really an unsustainable way of life.
-
I believe it may be unsustainable in the United States as well.
Academic text (2000) -
This system has become unsustainable.
-
So that is in and of itself unsustainable and pretty unacceptable.
-
And yet it is increasingly apparent that the status quo is unsustainable.
Academic text (2017) -
The reliance on fossil fuels is creating an unsustainable future for our planet.
Synonyms
2
6.4
Not able to succeed or continue, for example a project
Cannot continue without using up resources or causing harm
Too damaged or complex to keep in good condition
Antonyms
183
4.5
Can continue for a long time without using up resources or harming the environment
How Sustainable
650
3.2
1
3.7
183
4.5
45
5.0
80
4.4
17
8.6
Surface Forms
Morphology
unsustainable = sustainable (transparent) = un + sustain + able
The prefix 'un-' clearly negates the meaning of 'sustainable'.
Etymology
Unsustainable comes from un- 'not' and sustain 'to hold up' or 'support'. So if something is unsustainable, it cannot be 'held up' or 'kept going' for a long time, like a chair that cannot hold you or a plan that will fall.