Unsustainable: Definition and Part of Speech
Unsustainable is an adjective used to describe something that cannot be maintained or continued over time due to various reasons such as resource depletion, environmental impact, economic burden, or structural instability. This term often highlights practices or conditions that are detrimental in the long run.
Core Synonyms (Table Format)
| Synonym | Brief Definition/Nuance | Example Sentence | Style/Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Impractical | Not feasible or sensible in reality | “The business model was impractical due to high operational costs.” | Formal/Casual |
| Viable | Lacking the necessary stability or resources | “Without financial support, the project is not viable long-term.” | Business/Academic |
| Unfeasible | Impossible or incapable of being accomplished | “Implementing such changes without a budget increase is unfeasible.” | Formal/Informal |
| Nonviable | Incapable of surviving, growing, or continuing | “The venture turned out to be nonviable after the market shift.” | Academic/Business |
| Untenable | Not capable of being maintained; indefensible | “Given the rising costs, maintaining current practices is untenable.” | Formal/Professional |
Usage Notes
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Impractical: This synonym often appears in both formal and casual conversations when referring to ideas or plans that are difficult to execute or unlikely to succeed. It’s frequently used in business contexts where feasibility studies might label certain strategies as impractical.
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Viable (as a negative, i.e., “not viable”): Typically used in business and academic writing to describe initiatives, models, or situations lacking the necessary resources or conditions for success. It’s often employed during analyses of project sustainability or strategic planning.
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Unfeasible: This term is common in formal discussions, especially those involving logistical considerations. In contexts like project management or policy development, unfeasible may be used to describe proposals that can’t be realized due to practical limitations.
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Nonviable: More commonly found in academic and business settings, nonviable often describes entities such as businesses, projects, or biological conditions that lack the capability of continuing successfully. This synonym might appear in studies on ecological impacts, startup survival rates, etc.
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Untenable: Used frequently in professional and formal discourse, untenable suggests something unsustainable due to being logically indefensible or impossible to maintain over time. It is particularly prevalent in political discussions or debates about policy sustainability.
Common Pitfalls
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Confusion often arises between “unviable” and “nonviable.” While they are synonyms, “unviable” tends to suggest a lack of practicality in the planning stage, whereas “nonviable” might refer to something that was viable at one point but no longer is due to changed circumstances.
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Another common mix-up involves using “unsustainable” interchangeably with “temporary.” Unsustainability refers specifically to the inability to continue over time, while temporary simply denotes a short duration without implying unsustainability.
Final Recap
In summary, unsustainable has several synonyms, each with its own nuance: “impractical” emphasizes feasibility issues; “viable” (negatively) concerns necessary conditions for success; “unfeasible” focuses on logistical impossibility; “nonviable” highlights an entity’s inability to continue; and “untenable” suggests indefensibility over time.
To better grasp these synonyms, consider using them in different contexts such as writing essays, preparing business reports, or engaging in discussions. Practicing these words will help expand your vocabulary and improve your ability to communicate nuanced ideas effectively.