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 The plan’s 10-year phase-in period, which was intended to lower costs and make implementation more feasible, was criticized as impracticable. Gabrielle M. Etzel, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 22 July 2024 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 See all Example Sentences for impracticable 

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 5 Nov. 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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