unsustainable
Bound to collapse
Unsustainable describes something that cannot be maintained at its current level or pace.
The term appears frequently in environmental and economic contexts: unsustainable fishing practices, unsustainable debt levels.
What's unsustainable will eventually collapse or require change—the word implies a trajectory toward failure: This rate of spending is unsustainable.
Unable to see ahead
- myopicUnable to see far
- band-aidAdhesive strip for cuts
- stopgapTemporary substitute measure
- temporaryLimited in duration
expedient · throwaway · disposable · reactive · superficial · fleeting · impulsive · nonrenewable
Unsustainable marine harvest
- deforestationLarge-scale woodland elimination
- overconsumptionExcessive use of resources
- overexploitationExcessive resource depletion
- resource depletionExhausting available materials gradually
overharvesting · overgrazing · clear-cutting · soil erosion · habitat destruction · desertification · groundwater depletion · strip mining
Dangerously insecure
- unstableProne to sudden change
- tenuousLacking solid foundation
- shakyTrembling or unstable
- crumblingBreaking down gradually
deteriorating · overburdened · overextended · teetering · vulnerable · brittle · strained · collapsing
shortsighted
Unable to see ahead
temporary · expedient · throwaway · disposable · reactive · superficial · fleeting · impulsive · nonrenewable · boom-bust
overfishing
Unsustainable marine harvest
- deforestationLarge-scale woodland elimination
- overconsumptionExcessive use of resources
- overexploitationExcessive resource depletion
resource depletion · overharvesting · overgrazing · clear-cutting · soil erosion · habitat destruction · desertification · groundwater depletion · strip mining · overpopulation
precarious
Dangerously insecure
crumbling · deteriorating · overburdened · overextended · teetering · vulnerable · brittle · strained · collapsing · unraveling
- resourcesresources, money, natural resources, human resources, financial resources
- ratingsA rating, rating, one star, five stars, rating scale
- ecosystem statespristine, degraded, polluted, balanced, stable
unsustainablesustainable
Able to endure long-term
viable · maintainable · self-sustaining · durable · enduring
unsustainabletenable
Capable of being defended
justifiable · defensible · supportable · sound · maintainable