unenforceable
Cannot be upheld
Unenforceable describes rules, contracts, or laws that cannot be put into effect or compelled through legal or practical means.
A contract clause may be unenforceable because it violates public policy; a law may be unenforceable because no mechanism exists to ensure compliance: The non-compete agreement turned out to be unenforceable in California.
Something unenforceable remains technically on the books but carries no real consequence.
Absence indicator in code
- voidWithout legal effect
- voidableCapable of being nullified
- nonbindingNot legally compulsory
- illegalForbidden by statute
illegitimate · unlawful · unauthorized · improper · defective · flawed · unratified · annulled
Having no teeth
- impotentLacking power or efficacy
- futileIncapable of producing results
- ineffectualFailing to achieve purpose
- uselessWithout practical value
unworkable · fruitless · pointless · meaningless · powerless · feckless · nugatory · idle
Condensed version of text
- hypotheticalAssumed but unproven
- speculativeBased on conjecture
- notionalConceptual, not concrete
- academicRelating to education or theory
nominal · aspirational · idealistic · unrealistic · impractical · unworkable · unachievable · paper
Provision in agreement
- provisionPreparatory supply or clause
- covenantBinding formal pledge
- agreementShared position between parties
- stipulationCondition in an agreement
penalty clause · non-compete · confidentiality · arbitration · severability · boilerplate · fine print · loophole
null
Absence indicator in code
- voidWithout legal effect
- voidableCapable of being nullified
- nonbindingNot legally compulsory
illegal · illegitimate · unlawful · unauthorized · improper · defective · flawed · unratified · annulled · nullified
toothless
Having no teeth
- impotentLacking power or efficacy
- futileIncapable of producing results
- ineffectualFailing to achieve purpose
useless · unworkable · fruitless · pointless · meaningless · powerless · feckless · nugatory · idle · inert
abstract
Condensed version of text
- hypotheticalAssumed but unproven
- speculativeBased on conjecture
- notionalConceptual, not concrete
academic · nominal · aspirational · idealistic · unrealistic · impractical · unworkable · unachievable · paper · symbolic
clause
Provision in agreement
- provisionPreparatory supply or clause
- covenantBinding formal pledge
- agreementShared position between parties
stipulation · penalty clause · non-compete · confidentiality · arbitration · severability · boilerplate · fine print · loophole · unconscionable
- contractsbinding contracts, contract length, lease, clause, contract terms
- Contract Issuesbreach, violation, default, termination, cancellation
- nonfunctionalbroken, malfunctioning, inoperative, out of order, nonfunctional
- nullifiedvoided, annulled, invalidated, nullified, rescinded
unenforceableenforceable
Able to be upheld
legally binding · binding · valid · actionable · operative
unenforceablebinding
Legally or morally required
obligatory · mandatory · compulsory · ironclad · irrevocable
forced, enforced, forcing, enforcement, enforcing, reinforcement, enforces, enforcer, reinforcing