Unviable Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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unviable

[ʌnˈvaɪəbəl ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

infeasible

Not capable of working successfully; not feasible or practical.

Synonyms

impractical, infeasible, unworkable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
unviable

Used when describing something that cannot survive or succeed, especially in a biological or financial sense.

  • The business plan was deemed unviable due to its lack of market demand.
  • The embryos were determined to be unviable after genetic testing.
infeasible

Used to describe something that cannot be done or achieved due to various constraints.

  • Building a bridge across the canyon is infeasible with the current budget.
  • Expanding the program to all regions simultaneously was found to be infeasible.
impractical

Used for describing ideas, plans, or methods that are not sensible or realistic to implement.

  • Her suggestion to replace all cars with bicycles was deemed impractical given the city's infrastructure.
  • While the design is beautiful, it's widely considered impractical for everyday use.
unworkable

Used to describe something that is not functional or cannot operate effectively.

  • The proposed solution was found to be unworkable after a few trials.
  • The unworkable design led to numerous product recalls.

Examples of usage

  • The proposed plan is unviable due to budget constraints.
  • Without proper funding, the project will be unviable.
  • It became clear that the business model was unviable in the long term.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Science

  • In biology, 'unviable' often refers to embryos or seeds that cannot develop into healthy organisms.
  • The concept is crucial in conservation efforts, as it helps determine which species are at risk of extinction due to unviable populations.

Economics

  • In business, projects are termed unviable when they cannot be completed profitably or sustainably.
  • Investors look for viable ventures, as unviable projects can lead to wasted resources and losses.

Technology

  • In software development, a 'unviable solution' refers to approaches that cannot realistically be implemented due to technical constraints.
  • Startups often pivot from unviable business models to find more fitting ones in order to survive in competitive markets.

Environmental Issues

  • 'Unviable' is often used in discussions about climate change, where certain habitats become unviable for species due to changing conditions.
  • Pollution can render certain areas unviable for both wildlife and human populations, prompting urgent action.

Origin of 'unviable'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'vita,' meaning 'life,' with 'un-' as a prefix that means 'not.'
  • It first appeared in English in the early 20th century, originally describing organisms or businesses that cannot sustain themselves.

The word 'unviable' originated from the combination of the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not' and the word 'viable' meaning 'capable of working successfully'. It first appeared in the early 20th century.


See also: inviability, nonviability, viability.