What does infeasible mean?
Infeasible is a formal adjective meaning that something cannot be done, achieved, or made to work in practice. It is especially common in discussions of projects, schedules, systems, technologies, and business plans, where resources, time, cost, or physical constraints make a proposal unworkable. The word is more precise than the general term “impossible”: an idea may be theoretically conceivable but still infeasible because no realistic method or combination of resources can deliver it. “Technically infeasible,” “economically infeasible,” and “infeasible under current conditions” are typical patterns. Although “infeasible” sounds strong, it is often a matter of practical assessment rather than moral or logical judgment. Understanding the word helps distinguish a proposal that is merely difficult from one that cannot reasonably be implemented.
adjectiveNot possible to do, achieve, or carry out; impracticable. It can also refer to a plan, system, or process that cannot work under the stated conditions.
- Not possible to do, achieve, or carry out; impracticable.
- Unable to function or operate successfully under the relevant conditions.
"The deadline made completing the project infeasible."
"The proposed schedule is infeasible with the resources currently available."
"Researchers concluded that the proposed treatment would be technically infeasible at such a scale."
When a plan is not merely difficult but cannot be carried out at all, “infeasible” is the precise word for closing the door on it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does infeasible come from?
The word was formed in the 19th century from the Latin prefix in-, meaning “not,” and feasible, from Latin facere, “to do” or “make.” The underlying idea of something being capable of being done has ancient roots, while the negative form became established in English during the period of increasingly technical planning and engineering. Feasible remains a cognate, and unfeasible is a less common related form.
Related word forms
How infeasible is actually used
The word is formal and commonly used in business, technology, science, and planning contexts. It is often more precise than “impossible,” because it can describe something that cannot be achieved in practice rather than something that is logically impossible.
Easily confused with infeasible
Infeasible means impossible in practice or under particular conditions, whereas impossible often expresses an absolute or strongly general impossibility.
Infeasible emphasizes that something cannot be carried out in a workable way, while impracticable often suggests that a plan is impractical, unsuitable, or difficult to use.