unwinnableadj.
/(ˌ)ʌnˈwɪnəbl/, U.S. /ˌənˈwɪnəb(ə)l/ Not winnable; esp. of fortresses: Impregnable.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > defeat > [adjective] > not able to be won
unwinnablec1540
untriumphable1663
society > armed hostility > defence > defensive work(s) > [adjective]
stithc1000
strongOE
fastenedOE
warneda1300
strengtheda1382
unpregnable1387
embattledc1400
enbanedc1400
warrayable14..
impregnable1430
inexpugnable1490
strengthy1513
bulwarkeda1533
unexpugnable1533
fortified1538
well-fortified1538
unwinnablec1540
forced1548
forted1566
unbatterable1576
fencible?1579
unforcible1611
impregnate1632
untakable1652
of (good) force1697
casemated1740
well-girt1756
embattled1765
strongish1821
unbreachable1866
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > movement towards a thing, person, or position > [adjective] > affording access > accessible > inaccessible
inaccessible?a1475
unwinnablec1540
improachable?a1560
inaccesse?1567
unapproachable1574
unreachablea1586
unaccessible1596
dreich1597
accessless?1614
approachless1647
wind-bound1647
uncome-at-able1694
inapproachable1828
unget-at-able1862
the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > mastery or superiority > [adjective] > not overcome or overwhelmed > that cannot be
insuperablec1340
unvanquishablea1382
unexpugnable1382
invincible1482
unsuperable1526
inexpugnablea1535
unvincible1554
impugnable1570
conquerless1595
invictivea1607
inaccessible?1611
unsubduable1611
insuppressivea1616
inexsuperable1623
undefeatablea1640
unconquerable1642
irreducible1858
tower-proof1858
insubduable1866
uncrushable1873
unwinnable1972
society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > action of courts in claims or grievances > [adjective] > able to be defended (of suit) > not > not able to be won
unwinnable1975
c1540 J. Bellenden in tr. H. Boece Hyst. & Cron. Scotl. sig. Bviv This crag is callit the Bas vnwynnabill be ingyne of man.
1551 R. Ascham Let. in Wks. (1865) I. ii. 256 Many castles stand on the tops of these rocks unwinable.
1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. (1895) II. 289 The place quhilk naturalie was wnwinnable,..was..gyuen ouer on condiciounis.
1621 M. Wroth Countesse of Mountgomeries Urania 345 The Castle is impregnable, and she vnwinable, and thus his [= the prisoner's] misfortune fell.
c1650 J. Spalding Memorialls Trubles Scotl. & Eng. (1850) I. 291 The assaillantis fynding the place..vn-wynnabill without gryte skaith.
1972 D. Halberstam Best & Brightest 495 The war was unwinnable, or at least it was for a civilized government.
1975 F. Bresler You & Law 148 What would make the case absolutely unwinnable would be if the tenant was also coloured.
1980 Daily Mail 24 Dec. 15/5 The fifth year of his unwinnable Vietnam-style war.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1926; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.c1540