Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Not profitable or financially viable: Describes an activity, project, or enterprise that does not generate sufficient revenue to cover its costs or is not expected to do so.
   • Inefficient in the use of resources: Describes a process or method that is wasteful and does not achieve the best possible results from the resources (e.g., money, time, materials) used.

Usage

The adjective "uneconomic" is used to describe activities, decisions, or systems that are not financially sound or are inefficient. It often implies that continuing the activity is not justified from a financial or resource-management perspective. It is typically used in formal or business contexts.

Examples

• Describing a business or project:

  • The government decided to close the uneconomic coal mine.
  • Continuing the service on this remote route is considered uneconomic.

• Describing a method or process:

  • The old manufacturing technique is slow and uneconomic.
  • It would be uneconomic to repair such an old vehicle.

Advanced Usage

• "uneconomic to" + verb: Used to state that a specific action is not financially sensible.
  • It is uneconomic to produce such small quantities.
• "economically unviable": A more formal synonym often used in similar contexts.
  • The proposal was rejected as economically unviable.

Variants and Related Words

• uneconomical (adj): Often used interchangeably with "uneconomic," though sometimes "uneconomical" can place slightly more emphasis on wasteful inefficiency rather than just lack of profit.
  • Leaving the lights on all day is uneconomical.
• uneconomically (adv): In a way that is not economic.
  • The factory was run uneconomically for years.

Synonyms

• unprofitable: Not yielding profit.
• nonviable: Not capable of working successfully; not financially sustainable.
• wasteful: Using or expending something of value carelessly or to no purpose.

Antonyms

• economic: Justified in terms of profitability.
• profitable: Yielding profit or financial gain.
• efficient: Achieving maximum productivity with minimum wasted effort or expense.

Related Phrases

• sink money into an uneconomic venture: To invest money in a project that is unlikely to be profitable.
  • Investors were warned not to sink money into an uneconomic venture.

Adjective

1. wasteful of resources