nonrenewable
Definition
- Adjective:
- Not capable of being restored or replenished: Describes something that, once used or consumed, cannot be replaced or made available again within a practical timeframe.
- Not subject to extension or renewal: In a contractual or administrative context, describes an agreement or resource that cannot be extended beyond its original term.
Usage
The adjective "nonrenewable" is used to modify nouns, most commonly to classify natural resources or describe the nature of contracts or licenses. It typically precedes the noun it describes. - It is used to categorize energy sources or materials that exist in finite quantities on Earth. - It can describe agreements or subscriptions that terminate and cannot be continued.
Examples
- Describing Natural Resources:
- Coal is a nonrenewable energy source.
- The nation is heavily dependent on nonrenewable fuels.
- Describing Agreements:
- He was offered a nonrenewable five-year contract.
- The license is nonrenewable and expires after one use.
Advanced Usage
- "Nonrenewable resource": This is a standard economic and environmental term for substances like fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal) and minerals.
- Economists study the depletion of nonrenewable resources.
- In policy or academic writing, it is often contrasted with "renewable" (e.g., renewable vs. nonrenewable energy).
Variants and Related Words
- Unrenewable (adj): A less common synonym with identical meaning. "Nonrenewable" is the standard term in modern usage, especially for resources.
- The library's unrenewable books must be returned on time. (This usage is specific and less frequent.)
- Renewable (adj): The direct antonym, meaning capable of being replenished (e.g., solar power, wind energy).
Synonyms
- Finite: Having limits or bounds; not infinite in supply.
- Depletable: Capable of being used up or exhausted.
- Exhaustible: Capable of being completely consumed or used up.
Antonyms
- Renewable: Capable of being replaced naturally or extended contractually.
- Inexhaustible: Incapable of being used up; limitless.
- Sustainable: Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level without depletion.
Adjective
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that can not be renewed
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books on that shelf are unrenewable
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gas and oil are nonrenewable resources
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