unsustainable

unsustainable

The company's unsustainable practices will harm the environment.

Definition
  1. Adjective:
    • Not able to be maintained or continued over time: "unsustainable" describes a situation, practice, or system that cannot be kept going at the current rate or level because it uses resources too quickly, causes damage, or is not viable in the long term.
    • Not able to be supported or justified: "unsustainable" can also refer to an argument, claim, or position that lacks sufficient evidence or logical backing to be upheld.
Usage Examples
  • (The growth cannot continue because it uses resources too quickly.)
  • (His claim could not be defended or maintained.)
  • (Fishing methods that cannot be continued without harming the environment.)
Advanced Usage

  • "unsustainable development": economic or social progress that cannot be maintained without causing long-term harm to the environment or society.

    • Many countries are shifting away from unsustainable development toward green energy. (Development that damages the environment in the long run.)

  • "unsustainable debt": a level of debt that a borrower cannot repay without severe financial strain.

    • The country's unsustainable debt forced it to seek international aid. (Debt that cannot be managed or repaid over time.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Unsustainably (adverb): in a manner that cannot be maintained.

    • The company grew unsustainably fast, leading to bankruptcy. (Growth that was too rapid to continue.)

  • Sustainability (noun): the ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level over time.

    • The project focuses on sustainability to protect future generations. (The quality of being sustainable.)

  • Sustain (verb): to maintain or support over time.

    • We must sustain our efforts to reduce pollution. (Continue or keep up.)
Synonyms
  • Unmaintainable: not able to be kept in good condition or continued.
  • Unviable: not capable of working successfully or surviving.
  • Unendurable: not able to be tolerated or continued.
Related Idioms

  • "Living beyond one's means": spending more money than one can afford, which is unsustainable.

    • He was living beyond his means, accumulating unsustainable debt. (Spending more than income allows.)

  • "A house of cards": a situation or structure that is very weak and likely to collapse.

    • The economy was a house of cards, built on unsustainable speculation. (A fragile system that cannot last.)