1
as in inaccessible
hard or impossible to get to or get at
an eagle's nest in an unattainable location
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in impossible
incapable of being solved or accomplished
unfortunately, world peace is probably an unattainable ideal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of unattainable
Space is becoming an integral part of the broader innovation landscape by enabling the refinement and validation of discoveries under unique conditions that are unattainable on Earth.
—
Shelli Brunswick,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
Homeownership, stable employment, or even just feeding your kids are becoming more unattainable as high inflation and even higher interest rates take up a larger percentage of people’s incomes.
—
Jacqueline Munis,
Fortune,
17 June 2026
To build lasting brand trust, companies need to move away from marketing unattainable luxury and instead emphasize transparent pricing, practical utility and affordable solutions.
—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
17 June 2026
The effect is to create a layer of talent at the top of the game that is virtually unattainable, shifting the focus of demand down the food chain.
—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unattainable
Shelli Brunswick,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
Homeownership, stable employment, or even just feeding your kids are becoming more unattainable as high inflation and even higher interest rates take up a larger percentage of people’s incomes.
—
Jacqueline Munis,
Fortune,
17 June 2026
To build lasting brand trust, companies need to move away from marketing unattainable luxury and instead emphasize transparent pricing, practical utility and affordable solutions.
—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
17 June 2026
The effect is to create a layer of talent at the top of the game that is virtually unattainable, shifting the focus of demand down the food chain.
—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unattainable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unattainable
Adjective
-
Disabled people are disproportionately represented in detention, where inaccessible conditions, inadequate medical care, and systemic neglect put lives at risk.
-
Starting in 2028, every PlayStation game comes with an expiry date; as soon as the PS5’s digital store shuts down, a huge swath of games will simply become inaccessible.
Adjective
-
The ombudsmen point to impossible care burdens that cause burnout, irregular schedules, lack of training and the difficulty of taking care of seniors who, in previous decades, would have qualified for hospital care.
-
Shrouded completely in a thick, poisonous cloud cover, its surface is obviously impossible to observe.
Adjective
-
The Gaviota shutdown comes as other California rest areas are also temporarily unavailable.
-
The Pride played without NWSL scoring leader Barba Banda (11 goals), who was unavailable because of a thigh injury.
Adjective
-
The 41-year-old Portuguese footballer managed to put two past a hopeless Uzbekistan, becoming the first player to score in six consecutive World Cups.
-
The conflict feels contemporary without growing too cynical, and the core relationship stakes seem real without skewing hopeless.
Adjective
-
In a near replay of the previous match in Durham, Sharma was beginning to look untouchable when the introduction of Sam Curran forced the error, albeit with a low full toss that was pumped straight to deep midwicket to cut Sharma short on 43.
-
With a 143-point gap in the constructors’ standings to leaders Mercedes, the Silver Arrows currently look untouchable.
Adjective
-
Had the agency not restructured its mission plans, NASA's goal of landing astronauts on the moon before the end of the decade would have very likely been unobtainable.
-
There is Tamara, a city where signs symbolize unobtainable meanings.
Cite this Entry
“Unattainable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unattainable. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
