undoable

IPA/ʌnˈduː.ə.bəl/
IPA/ʌnˈduː.ə.bəl/

undoable — adjective

  • undoablepositive
  • more undoablecomparative
  • most undoablesuperlative

1. describes a task, problem, or action that is not possible to carry out or comple

1.adjectiveC1
Definition

describes a task, problem, or action that is not possible to carry out or complete successfully

Example

Tuan's team soon realised the project was undoable with their current budget.

realise + that-clause: gradual awareness that something cannot be done

Antonia tried three times to climb the wall, but each attempt proved undoable.

prove + undoable: linking verb showing the outcome of an effort

Common collocations
  • prove undoable
  • seem undoable
  • find something undoable
  • consider something undoable
Synonyms
  • impossible

    stronger and more absolute; 'undoable' often implies practical constraints rather than logical impossibility

  • not feasible

    more formal register, common in planning and business contexts

  • impractical

    emphasises excessive effort or cost rather than genuine impossibility

  • unachievable

    focuses on reaching a specific goal or target, especially in personal or professional development

Antonyms
  • doable

    the direct opposite; possible to do

  • feasible

    more formal than 'doable'; common in planning and project contexts

  • possible

    general opposite; less specifically tied to tasks or goals

Grammar Patterns

be + undoable

seem/prove/appear + undoable

find/consider + noun + undoable

Usage Note

Typically used in predicative position with linking verbs such as be, seem, prove, or appear. The subject is usually a task, project, problem, or goal rather than a person.

Common Mistakes

I think this error is undoable' (meaning it can be reversed).
I think this error can be undone.
'undoable' means 'not possible to do', not 'able to be undone/reversed'.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

'Undoable' describes a specific task that cannot be completed under the current circumstances, often because of practical limitations such as budget, tools, or time. 'Impossible' is stronger and more absolute — it suggests there is no way to succeed regardless of resources. 'Not feasible' is more formal and commonly used in planning or business contexts to indicate that something is not workable. 'Impractical' implies the task would require too much effort, cost, or time to be worth attempting, rather than being truly impossible. 'Unachievable' focuses on reaching a final goal or target. For example, climbing the wall was undoable without ropes, but not impossible with proper equipment; the housing plan was not feasible because of environmental rules; saving a million dollars in one year would be unachievable for most families.

undoable ↗impossible ↗not feasibleimpractical ↗unachievable

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • prove undoable
  • seem undoable
  • find something undoable
  • consider something undoable

Etymology

Old English (un-, dōn)English

Formed by adding the common prefix un- (meaning 'not') to the adjective 'doable', which itself comes from the verb 'do' plus the suffix -able (meaning 'possible to'). The word literally means 'not possible to do'.

First known use

1865

1865, in the meaning defined at sense 1