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Unsustainable: meaning, definitions and examples

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unsustainable

 

[ˌʌnsəˈsteɪnəbl ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

environmental

Not able to be maintained at the current rate or level, especially with regard to the use of natural resources or the impact on the environment.

Synonyms

unsupportable, untenable, untenable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
unsustainable

Used to describe something that cannot be maintained or continued over the long term, often due to environmental, economic, or social reasons.

  • The company's rapid expansion was considered unsustainable, leading to financial instability.
  • The current rate of deforestation is unsustainable and will lead to severe environmental consequences.
untenable

Used to describe a position, opinion, or situation that cannot be defended or held, often in debates, arguments, or discussions. Has a negative connotation.

  • Her position on the issue became untenable after new evidence was presented.
  • The old fort's strategic position was untenable, leading the troops to retreat.
unsupportable

Used when something lacks justification or cannot be supported or backed up, often in the context of arguments, evidence, or claims. Can have a negative connotation.

  • His claims about the project being completed ahead of schedule are unsupportable given the current progress.
  • The theory was unsupportable by the available scientific evidence.

Examples of usage

  • The logging in the rainforest is unsustainable and is causing irreparable damage to the ecosystem.
  • Our current agricultural practices are unsustainable and are leading to soil degradation.
Context #2 | Adjective

economic

Not capable of being continued or maintained in the current financial or economic conditions.

Synonyms

unsound, untenable, unviable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
unsustainable

Use this word when referring to practices, processes, or systems that cannot be maintained over the long term without causing harm or depletion of resources.

  • The company's business model is unsustainable due to its high carbon emissions.
  • Relying on fossil fuels is unsustainable for the planet.
unsound

This word is suitable for situations involving ideas, arguments, or structures that are fundamentally flawed or unreliable.

  • His argument was unsound and failed to convince the jury.
  • The building's foundation is unsound and poses a safety risk.
untenable

Best used when referring to positions, situations, or theories that are impossible to defend or justify.

  • His political stance became untenable after the corruption scandal.
  • The theory is scientifically untenable.
unviable

Appropriate for describing projects, plans, or ideas that are not feasible or practical to carry out.

  • The startup’s financial plan is unviable without significant investment.
  • Building a highway through the national park is economically unviable.

Examples of usage

  • The company's high levels of debt made its business model unsustainable in the long run.
  • The government realized that the current tax system was unsustainable and needed to be reformed.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word 'unsustainable' began to be widely used in the 1970s during discussions about environmental issues.
  • It combines the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not', with 'sustainable', which comes from the Latin 'sustinere', meaning 'to hold up or maintain'.

Environmental Impact

  • Activities such as deforestation and fossil fuel burning are often labeled as unsustainable because they deplete natural resources faster than they can be replenished.
  • Agricultural practices that overuse water can lead to soil degradation, making land unsustainable for farming.

Economic Perspective

  • Many economies face unsustainable debt levels, where they borrow excessively without the means to repay, risking financial emergencies.
  • A business model focusing solely on profit without considering social and environmental impacts can be seen as unsustainable.

Cultural Impact

  • Unsustainable practices can lead to cultural degradation, where traditions and languages fade as communities become more homogenized by globalization.
  • Art forms that rely on unsustainable resources may struggle to survive, as artists seek alternatives that are more environmentally friendly.

Science and Technology

  • Innovations in renewable energy sources, like solar and wind, aim to provide sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels, addressing unsustainable energy practices.
  • Studies in ecology focus on how ecosystems can become unsustainable if overexploited, leading to biodiversity loss.

Translations

Translations of the word "unsustainable" in other languages:

🇵🇹 insustentável

🇮🇳 अस्थिर

🇩🇪 nicht nachhaltig

🇮🇩 tidak berkelanjutan

🇺🇦 незбалансований

🇵🇱 niezrównoważony

🇯🇵 持続不可能な (じぞくふかのうな)

🇫🇷 non durable

🇪🇸 insostenible

🇹🇷 sürdürülemez

🇰🇷 지속 불가능한 (jisok bulganeunghan)

🇸🇦 غير مستدام (ghayr mustadam)

🇨🇿 neudržitelný

🇸🇰 neudržateľný

🇨🇳 不可持续的 (bù kě chíxù de)

🇸🇮 nevzdržen

🇮🇸 óviðráðanlegur

🇰🇿 тұрақсыз

🇬🇪 არამდგრადი

🇦🇿 dayanıqsız

🇲🇽 insostenible

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,369, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.