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unsolvable

C2
Uncommon

Pronunciation

UK

  • /ʌnsˈɒlvəbəl/

US

  • /ənˈsɑlvəbəl/

Meanings

Adjective

  1. not able to be solved or worked out

  2. having no solution within a formal mathematical or technical system

Beyond the definition

Just like some puzzles have no solution, problems can be unsolvable. It means there is no way to find an answer or fix something, even after a lot of effort. An unsolvable riddle may leave you thinking for days with no clear answer. Sometimes, a problem is not just hard; it cannot be solved because of the rules or conditions involved. For example, dividing by zero in math creates an unsolvable problem.

The word suggests more than difficulty; it means a solution is not possible. A detective might call a cold case unsolvable if all leads have dried up and there is no clear way to find the truth. It can also be used in a wider, more figurative way, such as an unsolvable conflict between two stubborn people or an unsolvable mystery about someone's past.

Examples

  1. 1

    Puzzle

    The puzzle looked unsolvable at first, but then we noticed a pattern.

  2. 2

    Research problem

    The researchers ran into an unsolvable problem when the key samples were contaminated.

  3. 3

    Public issue

    For many voters, rising housing costs have started to feel almost unsolvable.

  4. 4

    Diplomacy

    After years of talks, the conflict still seemed unsolvable.

    • Patternseem + adjective

      appear to be

See also

Similar

Shades of meaning

Contrast

Used with (collocations)

  • unsolvable problem
  • unsolvable mystery
  • seemingly unsolvable

Word family

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Forms and spellings

1 form open this card.

Main spelling

  • unsolvableadjective