impracticable

adjective

im·​prac·​ti·​ca·​ble (ˌ)im-ˈprak-ti-kə-bəl How to pronounce impracticable (audio)
1
: impassable
an impracticable road
2
: not practicable : incapable of being performed or accomplished by the means employed or at command
an impracticable proposal
impracticability noun
impracticably adverb

Examples of impracticable in a Sentence

an impracticable plan for dealing with the recent intrusion of bears in the suburban neighborhood
Recent Examples on the Web Contractual force majeure is rarely invoked and enforced to allow the nonperformance of contracts that have become either impossible or impracticable due to some catastrophic event, including natural disasters and wars. Alexander Talel, WSJ, 22 Oct. 2023 Besides, the structure of Prescott’s contract makes that monumentally impracticable. Dallas News, 27 Jan. 2023 While guides to sustainable touring do exist, their suggestions are often unaffordable or impracticable for most musicians. Jake Blount, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2022 The extensive trade between Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley made regular shipments of gold highly impracticable. Amanda Foreman, WSJ, 17 Mar. 2022 The last thing a comedian wants is to sue or threaten a fan, and such action is often impracticable. Mitra Ahouraian, Forbes, 13 June 2022 What was previously ‘impracticable’ or ‘too costly’ was made possible in a matter of weeks. Caroline Casey, Forbes, 14 Apr. 2022 The series explores the continual pressure exerted on women — and the particular pressure that women exert on themselves — to achieve an impracticable ideal. New York Times, 11 June 2021 However, a personal guarantee becomes impracticable when there are potentially hundreds of owners, and none of them owns more than 20% of the business. Lydia Depillis, ProPublica, 7 June 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'impracticable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1653, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of impracticable was in 1653

Dictionary Entries Near impracticable

Cite this Entry

“Impracticable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impracticable. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

impracticable

adjective
im·​prac·​ti·​ca·​ble (ˈ)im-ˈprak-ti-kə-bəl How to pronounce impracticable (audio)
: difficult to put into practice or use
an impracticable plan
impracticability noun

Legal Definition

impracticable

adjective
im·​prac·​ti·​ca·​ble im-ˈprak-ti-kə-bəl How to pronounce impracticable (audio)
: excessively difficult to perform especially by reason of an unforeseen contingency
a contract made impracticable by the new regulation

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