Unsustainable Meaning in English
word
ˌənsəˈsteɪnəbəɫ
uhn-suh-STAY-nuh-buhl
ʌnsəstˈeɪnəbəl
un-suh-STAY-nuh-buhl
Definition
Impossible to maintain or continue for a long time, often because it uses too many resources or causes harm.
Usage & Nuances
Primarily used in environmental, economic, and business contexts. Common with words like 'growth', 'development', 'practices', 'model'. Implies that continuing as is will lead to negative outcomes or collapse. Not used for people but for systems and activities.
Spanish: insosteniblePortuguese (BR): insustentávelPortuguese (PT): insustentávelChinese (Simplified): 不可持续的Chinese (Traditional): 不可持續的Hindi: अस्थायीArabic: غير مستدامBengali: অস্থায়ী নয় - অসম্ভব বজায় রাখাRussian: неустойчивый - нежизнеспособныйJapanese: 持続不可能なVietnamese: không bền vữngKorean: 지속 불가능한Turkish: sürdürülemezUrdu: ناقابلِ برداشت - ناقابلِ پائیداریIndonesian: tidak berkelanjutan
Example Sentences
This level of pollution is unsustainable.
basic
Our current use of water is unsustainable.
basic
The company's growth was unsustainable.
basic
If we keep spending like this, it’s just unsustainable.
natural
Many experts warn that relying on fossil fuels is unsustainable in the long run.
natural
What they’re doing just isn’t workable—it’s totally unsustainable.
natural