infeasible

If a plan is infeasible, it will not work because the conditions are wrong. It may need too much time, too much money, or tools and skills that are not available. Imagine trying to build a house on quicksand. That plan is not just hard; it is not likely to succeed in the real world.

The word is the opposite of feasible, or "possible to do." You might hear it in business ("The budget makes this project infeasible") or science ("Traveling faster than light is currently considered infeasible"). It is often a calm, practical way of saying, "This is not going to work under these conditions."

To describe something as infeasible means that it isn't practical or possible to achieve, especially due to inherent limitations in resources, technology, or circumstances. It goes beyond simply being difficult; an infeasible plan is fundamentally flawed and unlikely to succeed no matter how much effort is put into it.

You might hear "infeasible" used when discussing large-scale projects like infrastructure development. For example: "Building a bridge across that turbulent strait would be financially and technically infeasible." It's often employed in contexts where careful planning and realistic assessment are crucial, such as engineering, business, or politics.

However, infeasible isn't always about grand schemes. A simple task can also be deemed infeasible. If you try to fix a broken computer with only a hammer, your approach is likely infeasible. It implies that the tools, skills, or conditions necessary for success are simply not available.

The word carries a sense of reasoned judgment—it's not just about personal preference but an objective assessment of what's realistically achievable. While "impossible" suggests something can never happen, "infeasible" suggests it's unlikely to happen given the current situation.

So, if you hear someone describe an idea as infeasible, understand that they are not dismissing it without thought. They are saying that, based on the facts, resources, and limits involved, it is not a realistic option.