unpayable

The company's unpayable debts forced it into bankruptcy.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Not capable of being paid: "unpayable" describes a debt or financial obligation that cannot be settled or discharged due to lack of funds, legal constraints, or practical impossibility.
   • Not profitable: In a broader sense, "unpayable" can refer to an activity, investment, or enterprise that does not generate sufficient financial return to cover its costs or provide a profit.

Usage Examples

• Financial context:

  • The national debt has become unpayable under current economic conditions. (The debt cannot be repaid with existing resources.)
  • His gambling losses were unpayable, leading to bankruptcy. (The debts could not be settled.)

• Profitability context:

  • The mining operation proved unpayable after the ore prices dropped. (The venture did not yield enough profit to be worthwhile.)
  • Investors abandoned the project because it was unpayable. (The project could not generate a return on investment.)

Advanced Usage

• "unpayable debt": a financial obligation that exceeds the borrower's ability to repay.

  • Many developing nations face unpayable debt burdens that hinder economic growth. (Debt that cannot be serviced or repaid.)

• "unpayable interest": interest charges that accumulate beyond the debtor's capacity to pay.

  • The loan agreement included unpayable interest rates, trapping the borrower in a cycle of debt. (Interest that cannot be met.)

Variants and Related Words

• Payable (adj): capable of being paid; due to be paid.

  • The invoice is payable within 30 days. (The amount is due for payment.)

• Nonpayable (adj): not required to be paid; exempt from payment.

  • This fine is nonpayable for first-time offenders. (No payment is necessary.)

• Unpayability (n): the quality or state of being unpayable.

  • The unpayability of the loan forced the bank to write it off. (The condition of being impossible to pay.)

Synonyms

• Irredeemable: not able to be redeemed or settled (often used for debts).
  • The company's debt was irredeemable. (Could not be paid off.)
• Insolvent: unable to pay debts owed.
  • The firm became insolvent due to unpayable obligations. (In a state of financial failure.)
• Unprofitable: not yielding profit or financial gain.
  • The venture was unprofitable and thus unpayable. (Did not generate returns.)

Phrasal Verbs

• Pay off: to settle a debt completely.
  • He could not pay off the unpayable loan. (Clear the debt.)
• Pay down: to reduce the amount of a debt.
  • They tried to pay down the mortgage, but it remained unpayable. (Decrease the principal.)

Related Idioms

• In the red: in debt; owing money.
  • The company has been in the red for years, with unpayable accounts. (Operating at a loss with debts.)
• Beyond one's means: too expensive to afford.
  • The luxury car was beyond his means, making the payments unpayable. (Exceeding financial capacity.)