unworkable

comparative more unworkable · superlative most unworkable

1. Not workable.
   1. Not operable; not practical; unmanageable.

      Near-synonyms: infeasible, untenable, unusable

      2 more examples

      These plans seem unworkable; moreover, a budget for their implementation remains a fantasy.

      A Welsh Government spokesman said: "We are opposed to the approach being taken by the UK Government, which we feel is unnecessary, probably unworkable, and will do nothing to resolve industrial disputes.

      2024 March 20, Conrad Landin, “"Farcical" Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act isn't working”, in RAIL, number 1005, page 25

      Synonyms: inoperable, nonworking, infeasible, untenable, unusable · Antonyms: workable, practicable

   2. Not suitable or amenable for being manipulated or transformed.

      Near-synonyms: unprocessable, unusable

      1 more example

      unworkable soils;   unworkable clays;   unworkable metals

      Synonyms: unprocessable, unusable

plural unworkables

1. Something that is not workable, or cannot be made to work.

   His effort at maintaining a casual relationship was one of the unworkables in his life. Ealy had once observed that friends may become lovers, but lovers could never be friends.

   2011, Terry Kay, Bogmeadow's Wish, page 33

   2 more examples

   The building of the consensus group, however, forced these interests to distinguish annoying features of the law from unworkable ones, and the list of the unworkables steadily dwindled.

   1983, Lawrence David Brown, Politics and Health Care Organization: HMOs as Federal Policy

   We all have some secret little hope that the unworkables will be resurrected. You haven't seen any of the occupants of the pyramids pull this off yet, nor will you see any use for old, outdated, dead office stuff.

   2004, Don Aslett, The Office Clutter Cure, page 44