unmaintainable

unmaintainable

The codebase became unmaintainable after years of quick fixes.

Definition
  1. Adjective:
    • Not capable of being kept in good condition or continued: "unmaintainable" describes something that cannot be preserved, sustained, or kept in a functional state over time, often due to inherent flaws, excessive cost, or impracticality.
    • Not able to be upheld or justified: In a figurative sense, it refers to an argument, system, or position that cannot be defended or supported logically or practically.
Usage Examples
  • (The code could no longer be kept in working order.)
  • (The proposal could not be upheld or justified.)
  • (The structure cannot be preserved without major work.)
Advanced Usage

  • "unmaintainable system": a system (e.g., software, mechanical) that requires excessive resources to keep operational.

    • The company abandoned the unmaintainable database and migrated to a new platform. (The old database could not be kept running efficiently.)

  • "unmaintainable position": a stance or argument that cannot be sustained logically.

    • The politician's contradictory statements left him in an unmaintainable position. (His stance could not be defended.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Unmaintainability (noun): the quality or state of being unmaintainable.

    • The unmaintainability of the legacy system forced a complete rewrite. (The inability to maintain it.)

  • Maintainable (adj): capable of being kept in good condition or continued.

    • The new design is much more maintainable than the old one. (Easier to preserve.)
Synonyms
  • Unsustainable: not able to be maintained at a certain rate or level.
    • The unmaintainable growth of the company led to its collapse. (Unsustainable expansion.)
  • Undefendable: not able to be justified or protected.
    • His unmaintainable argument was easily refuted. (Undefendable reasoning.)
Related Idioms
  • A house of cards: something that is unmaintainable because it is unstable or fragile.
    • Their financial plan was a house of cards, completely unmaintainable. (Easily collapsed.)
  • Built on sand: having a weak or unmaintainable foundation.
    • The theory was built on sand and proved unmaintainable. (Lacking solid basis.)