Meaning & use
nonstarter
An idea, plan, or candidate that has no chance of success and is not worth pursuing.
See it in a sentence
The proposal to cut public transport was a nonstarter with the city council.
Raising prices during a recession seemed like a nonstarter for the sales team.
A note on using this word
Used informally in business and politics to dismiss an idea quickly, before it is seriously considered.
Words with a similar meaning
dead end
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
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