unsolvable
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /ʌnsˈɒlvəbəl/
US
- /ənˈsɑlvəbəl/
Description
- cannot be solved
- no answer possible
- beyond fixing
- impossible to work out
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.
The word "unsolvable" describes something that cannot be solved, resolved, or explained—no matter how much effort is put into it. It goes beyond simply being difficult; it implies a fundamental impossibility of finding a solution. For example: "Despite years of research, the mystery behind the disease's cause remained unsolvable."
"Unsolvable" can apply to practical problems like mathematical equations ("This equation is unsolvable"), logical puzzles ("The riddle proved unsolvable"), or real-world challenges ("The political deadlock seemed unsolvable"). It suggests that the problem is inherently resistant to any attempt at resolution.
However, "unsolvable" isn't always about concrete issues. It can also describe abstract concepts like conflicts or mysteries. A long-standing feud between families might be considered unsolvable because of deep-seated resentment and an unwillingness to compromise. An unsolvable mystery is one that will likely remain a secret forever, with no clues leading to an answer.
Sometimes, what appears unsolvable simply requires a new approach or perspective. But when something is truly unsolvable, it suggests a barrier that cannot be overcome, a dead end in the search for answers. It is a strong word that points to real impossibility, not just frustration or delay. So when something is called unsolvable, it means further effort is unlikely to lead to an answer or a fix.
Examples
- 1
Puzzle
The puzzle looked unsolvable at first, but then we noticed a pattern.
- 2
Research problem
The researchers ran into an unsolvable problem when the key samples were contaminated.
- 3
Public issue
For many voters, rising housing costs have started to feel almost unsolvable.
- 4
Diplomacy
After years of talks, the conflict still seemed unsolvable.
Pattern
seem + adjective
appear to be
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- unsolvableadjective