unsustainable

UK: ˌʌnsəˈsteɪnəbl | US: ˌʌnsəˈsteɪnəbl

Definition

  1. adj. not able to be maintained or continued at the current rate or level

  2. adj. causing long-term harm to the environment or resources

Structure
un <not>sustain <support>able <capable of>
Etymology

The word "unsustainable" combines three morphemes:

  1. "un-" (Old English "un-"), a prefix meaning "not," negating the root.
  2. "sustain" (Latin "sustinēre," from "sub-" (under) + "tenēre" (hold)), meaning "to support or maintain."
  3. "-able" (Latin "-abilis"), a suffix forming adjectives meaning "capable of."
    The term emerged in the mid-19th century, originally describing economic or social systems that could not be maintained. By the late 20th century, it gained prominence in environmental discourse to describe practices depleting natural resources.
Examples

  1. The company’s rapid expansion proved unsustainable in the long run.

  2. Overfishing has made the current fishing practices unsustainable.

  3. Critics argue that the government’s spending policies are economically unsustainable.

  4. Renewable energy offers a solution to unsustainable fossil fuel dependence.

  5. The tourism boom led to unsustainable pressure on local water supplies.