impractical

adjective

im·​prac·​ti·​cal (ˌ)im-ˈprak-ti-kəl 

: not practical: such as

a

: not wise to put into or keep in practice or effect

b

: incapable of dealing sensibly or prudently with practical matters

c

: impracticable

d

: idealistic

impracticality

(ˌ)im-ˌprak-ti-ˈka-lə-tē 

noun

impractically

(ˌ)im-ˈprak-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• impracticable
• inoperable
• nonpractical
• unserviceable
• unusable
• unworkable
• useless

Examples of impractical in a Sentence

Little sports cars are impractical for large families.

He was a dreamy and impractical young man.

Recent Examples on the Web

Outsourcing vendor management may also be impractical, as most services are designed and priced for large enterprises. —Paul Blough, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

That same year, following Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, Saddam Hussein ordered an impractical (and unsuccessful) effort to quickly build a nuclear weapon. —Uri Friedman, The Atlantic, 30 Oct. 2024

Officials in both Michigan and Wisconsin pushed back, contending Kennedy’s requests are impractical since voting is already underway. —Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 30 Oct. 2024

To be sure, such a process would be impractical in the event of a clearly imminent or ongoing nuclear attack on the United States. —Anthony Lake, Foreign Affairs, 24 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1865, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

impractical

adjective

im·​prac·​ti·​cal (ˈ)im-ˈprak-ti-kəl 

: not practical: as

a

: not wise to put into or keep in practice or effect

an impractical rule disliked by many

b

: incapable of dealing sensibly with practical matters

c

: impracticable

the new gadgets were complicated and impractical

impracticality

(ˌ)im-ˌprak-ti-ˈkal-ət-ē 

noun

impractically

(ˈ)im-ˈprak-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb