unprofitable

adjective

un·​prof·​it·​able ˌən-ˈprä-fə-tə-bəl How to pronounce unprofitable (audio)
-ˈpräf-tə-bəl
Synonyms of unprofitablenext
: not profitable : producing no gain, good, or result
an unprofitable venture
unprofitableness noun
unprofitably
ˌən-ˈprä-fə-tə-blē How to pronounce unprofitable (audio)
-ˈpräf-tə-blē
adverb

Examples of unprofitable in a Sentence

an unprofitable effort to find the information
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Aside from the eye-watering increase in the price of oil, making many flights unprofitable, European media are warning of potential jet fuel shortages in parts of Europe and Asia, raising concerns that some routes could become harder to operate if supplies tighten. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026 Sora used huge amounts of computing power, while the app had seen user numbers plateau and was deeply unprofitable, the Wall Street Journal reported. Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026 Kirby said in a staff memo last week that the airline is going to cut unprofitable flights over the next two quarters. Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 26 Mar. 2026 Such high-status public offerings could ratchet up the mania, and increase the potential for financial contagion, as more people’s retirement accounts and investment portfolios get tied up in still-unprofitable AI companies. Lila Shroff, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unprofitable

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unprofitable was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unprofitable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unprofitable. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

unprofitable

adjective
un·​prof·​it·​able ˌən-ˈpräf-ət-ə-bəl How to pronounce unprofitable (audio)
-ˈpräf-tə-bəl
ˈən-
: not profitable
unprofitably adverb

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