impracticable
gb/ɪmpɹˈæktɪkəbəl/ us/ɪmpɹˈæktɪkəbəl/
C1
English
~ 8900
Senses
0 senses
adjective
formal
C1
property
1
impossible to carry out in practice
Too hard or almost impossible to do or use in real life, so it cannot really work.
Usage pattern:
[something] is impracticable (for [someone] / in [context])
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse "impracticable" with "impractical". "Impracticable" focuses on something not being possible to do in real life, while "impractical" more often means not sensible or not convenient. Learners also sometimes use it in casual speech, but it is mostly used in formal or written contexts; in everyday conversation, "impossible" or "not practical" is more natural.
Synonyms
unworkable (Emphasizes that something cannot function successfully or be put into effect.)
|
impossible (Stronger and more absolute; focuses on complete lack of possibility, not just failure in practice.)
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impractical (More common and slightly broader; often suggests something is not sensible, not only that it cannot be done.)
Antonyms
feasible (Highlights that something can be done or achieved in real conditions.)
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practicable (The precise opposite in a similar formal register; stresses that something can be done in practice.)
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workable (Stresses that something is realistic and can operate successfully.)
Collocations
impracticable plan
|impracticable proposal
|proved impracticable
|practically impracticable
|commercially impracticable
|logistically impracticable
Themes
work
|business
|law
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The committee rejected the proposal as impracticable given the tight deadline.
- Tracking every single transaction in real time would be technically impracticable.
- Because the bridge is damaged, the route is now impracticable for heavy vehicles.
- The court found that the contract term was impracticable to perform under current regulations.
- Such a complex voting system would be completely impracticable in a national election.
Learner examples
- The plan sounds good, but it is impracticable.
- It is impracticable to finish this work in one day.
- The road is impracticable after heavy rain.
- Building a new airport in the city center is impracticable.
- This rule is nice in theory, but impracticable in real life.
adjective
formal
C1
property
2
too difficult or inconvenient to do
Possible in theory, but so hard, slow, or expensive that people should not really try to do it.
Usage pattern:
it is impracticable to [verb]
Common mistake:
Learners may use "impracticable" when they only mean "inconvenient" or "a bit difficult". In standard use, "impracticable" suggests something is so demanding that it should not reasonably be attempted, not just mildly troublesome. In everyday speech, "not realistic" or "not practical" is usually more natural.
Synonyms
unrealistic (Stresses that an idea does not fit real-world limits like time or cost.)
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impractical (Common everyday word; often preferred when the focus is on inconvenience or lack of good sense.)
Antonyms
realistic (Suggests that a plan fits real limits like time, money, and effort.)
|
reasonable (Highlights that the action is sensible and not too hard or costly to do.)
Collocations
impracticable to implement
|impracticable to hold
|impracticable to maintain
|impracticable to apply
|politically impracticable
|economically impracticable
Themes
work
|planning
|economics
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Given the size of the team, it would be impracticable to hold daily three‑hour meetings.
- The mayor argued that banning all cars from the city would be politically impracticable.
- Providing individual reports for every user is simply impracticable at our current staffing levels.
- Because of the distance, it became impracticable to ship fresh goods there every day.
- Updating the software on every device by hand would be economically impracticable.
Learner examples
- It is impracticable to meet every week because people are too busy.
- Traveling there by taxi every day is impracticable; it is too expensive.
- For a small company, it is impracticable to run tests on every product.
- Having one teacher for every two students is impracticable in most schools.
- It is impracticable to move the factory this year because it would cost too much.
Grammar
Dictionary form
impracticable
IPA
GB/ɪmpɹˈæktɪkəbəl/
US/ɪmpɹˈæktɪkəbəl/
Syllables & stress
im - prac - tic - able (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (prac)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: impracticable
Word family
Core family
Related words
practicality
noun B2
practitioner
noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
Advanced or less common
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.