unprofitable

adjective

un·​prof·​it·​able ˌən-ˈprä-fə-tə-bəl 

-ˈpräf-tə-bəl

: not profitable : producing no gain, good, or result

an unprofitable venture

unprofitableness noun

unprofitably

ˌən-ˈprä-fə-tə-blē 

-ˈpräf-tə-bəl

adverb

Synonyms

• abortive
• barren
• bootless
• empty
• fruitless
• futile
• ineffective
• ineffectual
• inefficacious
• otiose
• profitless
• unavailing
• unproductive
• unsuccessful
• useless
• vain

Examples of unprofitable in a Sentence

an unprofitable effort to find the information

Recent Examples on the Web

Normally in prosperous times, airlines acquire airplanes and add routes, some of which turn out to be unprofitable. —Ted Reed, Forbes, 1 Jan. 2025

Big Lots store closings Between the lines: Big Lots had been hoping to stay in business by closing hundreds of unprofitable stores and arranging a $620 million sale to private equity firm Nexus Capital Management. —Nathan Bomey, Axios, 20 Dec. 2024

How to maintain this unprofitable business (excuse me, way of life) against the forward march of progress? —Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 16 Dec. 2024

The iconic film studio that gives the corporate parent its name is said to be unprofitable. —Byandrew Nusca, Fortune, 4 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

unprofitable

adjective

un·​prof·​it·​able ˌən-ˈpräf-ət-ə-bəl 

-ˈpräf-tə-bəl,

ˈən-

: not profitable

unprofitably

-blē 

adverb