C1adjectiveenvironmentmoney
US/ˌʌn.səˈsteɪ.nə.bəl/
UK/ˌʌn.səˈsteɪ.nə.bəl/
not able to continue for long, or harmful because it uses up resources faster than they are replaced
In context
Cutting down forests at this rate is completely unsustainable.
The company's rapid growth turned out to be unsustainable without more investment.
Working sixteen hours a day is unsustainable for anyone, however strong.
Words that go with unsustainable
adjective + noun
- unsustainable levelDebt has reached an unsustainable level.
- unsustainable growthUnsustainable growth often ends in a crisis.
- unsustainable paceThey kept up an unsustainable pace for months.
adverb + adjective
- environmentally unsustainableCheap flights are environmentally unsustainable.
- financially unsustainableThe scheme became financially unsustainable.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
The plan is not sustainability.Correct: The plan is not sustainable.