impracticable

adjective

im·​prac·​ti·​ca·​ble (ˌ)im-ˈprak-ti-kə-bəl How to pronounce impracticable (audio)
Synonyms of impracticablenext
1
: impassable
an impracticable road
2
: not practicable : incapable of being performed or accomplished by the means employed or at command
an impracticable proposal
a contract made impracticable by the new regulations
impracticability
(ˌ)im-ˌprak-ti-kə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce impracticable (audio)
noun
impracticably
(ˌ)im-ˈprak-ti-kə-blē How to pronounce impracticable (audio)
adverb

Synonyms of impracticable

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Steer clear of impracticable, luxurious purchases that might tempt you. — Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 8 May 2026 One is a single state with equal rights for Palestinians and Jews, which would be wonderful but is simply impracticable given attitudes on both sides. — Foreign Affairs, 9 Oct. 2025 If adjudication is impracticable, a state may destroy the prize after all possible measures are taken to ensure the safety of its passengers and crew. — Jill Goldenziel, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2026 In court filings, the agency argued that changing testing protocols was unnecessary and impracticable. — Christopher Osher, ProPublica, 29 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for impracticable

Word History

First Known Use

1653, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of impracticable was in 1653

Rhymes for impracticable

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Browse Nearby Words

impr
impracticable
impractical
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Cite this Entry

“Impracticable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impracticable. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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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
(ˌ)im-ˌprak-ti-kə-ˈbil-ət-ē How to pronounce impracticable (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on impracticable

Nglish: Translation of impracticable for Spanish Speakers

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