incurable

adjective

in·​cur·​able (ˌ)in-ˈkyu̇r-ə-bəl How to pronounce incurable (audio)
: not curable
an incurable disease
broadly : not likely to be changed or corrected
incurable optimism
incurable noun
incurably adverb

Examples of incurable in a Sentence

an incurable flirt at school dances
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Two days later, he was faced with worse news: A second scan found the cancer originated in his prostate and had metastasized to his bones, leaving tumors in his shoulder, pelvis, hip, spine and rib — incurable stage 4 cancer. Rebecca Cohen, NBC News, 20 Oct. 2024 The actor appeared in Morbius as Dr. Emil Nicholas, a mentor and father figure to Dr. Michael Morbius (Jared Leto), who runs a facility for people with incurable illnesses. Glenn Garner, Deadline, 26 Sep. 2024 Grainy and imperfect vision would be life-changing for many thousands of people who currently suffer from incurable blindness. Geoffrey Boynton, Discover Magazine, 8 Aug. 2024 The new alternatives boast reduced levels of crystalline silica, a mineral that can cause an incurable disease called silicosis if workers inhale tiny particles of dust from cutting and grinding stone. Emily Alpert Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for incurable 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Late Latin; Anglo-French, from Late Latin incurabilis, from Latin in- + curabilis curable

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of incurable was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near incurable

Cite this Entry

“Incurable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incurable. Accessed 18 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

incurable

adjective
in·​cur·​able (ˈ)in-ˈkyu̇r-ə-bəl How to pronounce incurable (audio)
: not capable of being cured
incurably adverb

Medical Definition

incurable

adjective
in·​cur·​able (ˈ)in-ˈkyu̇r-ə-bəl How to pronounce incurable (audio)
: impossible to cure
an incurable disease
incurably adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on incurable

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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