nonstarter

noun

Definition of nonstarternext
as in loser

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of nonstarter For McLaughlin and Neal, handing over power to a corporation is a nonstarter. — Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 10 Aug. 2026 But negotiations for a permanent peace have stalled, and Iran has continued to menace the Strait of Hormuz and threatened to charge tolls for ships using the vital waterway, a nonstarter for American allies in the Persian Gulf. — Jonathan Lemire, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026 That fee was clearly a nonstarter for most shippers and oil companies. — Brian Sullivan, CNBC, 16 July 2026 So long as Hungary believes that the rights of Hungarian minority communities remain unsecured, the acceptance of thousands of new migrants will likewise remain a nonstarter for Magyar and his Tisza party. — Brett R. Chloupek, The Conversation, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for nonstarter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonstarter
  1. loser
  2. fiasco
  3. washout
  4. disaster
  5. catastrophe
  6. flop
  7. debacle
  8. bomb
Noun
  • The selling in recent days, however, has intensified on worries about the AI trade, making the likes of Micron among our biggest losers week-to-date and defensives such as Cardinal Health among our biggest weekly winners.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Progress in the competition awaits the winner, exit for the loser.
    — Lars Brandle, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of loser
Noun
  • The 76ers hope the list of fiascos ends with James and Brown — and with a parade down Broad Street.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • You were beaten even by She-Devil, Roseanne Barr’s own box office fiasco.
    — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of fiasco
Noun
  • Friday won't necessarily be a complete washout, but there could be several periods of rain, particularly during the afternoon.
    — Bill Kelly, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Still some lingering light rain and breezy conditions across parts of the Northeast for tomorrow morning, but not a washout for most.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of washout
Noun
  • Faizi said ambulances and disaster management personnel arrived from a nearby facility within five minutes of being alerted.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
  • For example, largely because of the environmental disaster that is Weikuang Dam, the country doesn’t permit the development or operation of stand-alone monazite mines—that is, mines where nothing is mined except monazite ore.
    — Glenn Zorpette, IEEE Spectrum, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of disaster
Noun
  • In a 2024 interview with TIME, Netanyahu denied making the statement, insisting that the payments were meant to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Information and statistics are flying around, with some groups framing the AI data center boom as a potential environmental catastrophe, while others say concerns are overblown or even fake.
    — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of catastrophe
Noun
  • Thus, no sooner was Digger declared one of the biggest flops of all time than the reclamation project got underway.
    — Nate Jones, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Affleck has weathered his own box office flops over the course of his decades-long career.
    — Zack Sharf, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of flop
Noun
  • The notices, the standing ovations, the awards buzz — all of it represents a stunning reversal of fortune for Guadagnino after the Amazon debacle in June.
    — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Plus, through water, hot temperatures, and other kitchen debacles, the Overseas has remained in perfect condition.
    — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of debacle
Noun
  • The war continues Zelenskyy said on Sunday that Russia has launched more than 4,000 strike drones, bombs and missiles against his country over the past week.
    — Kristin Wright, NPR, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Fifty years after the last Weather Underground bomb exploded, former members and their children reassess the costs of the group’s violent struggle.
    — Adam Hochschild, The New York Review of Books, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of bomb

Browse Nearby Words

nonstandard
nonstarter
nonstarters
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Cite this Entry

“Nonstarter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonstarter. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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