incurable

adjective

in·​cur·​able (ˌ)in-ˈkyu̇r-ə-bəl 

: not curable

an incurable disease

broadly : not likely to be changed or corrected

incurable optimism

incurable noun

incurably

(ˌ)in-ˈkyu̇r-ə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms

• hopeless
• incorrigible
• irrecoverable
• irredeemable
• irreformable
• irremediable
• irretrievable
• unrecoverable
• unredeemable

Examples of incurable in a Sentence

an incurable flirt at school dances

Recent Examples on the Web

In October 2007, the tabloid broke the news that Mr. Edwards had been involved in an affair with Rielle Hunter, a videographer on the campaign staff, while his wife suffered from an incurable form of cancer. —Jacob Bernstein, New York Times, 2 June 2024

The bill will apply to those with incurable illnesses who are capable of making decisions for themselves. —Devika Rao, theweek, 8 May 2024

This includes inmates with a terminal or incurable illness, specifically those who are mostly or completely confined to a bed or chair. —Kayla Dwyer, The Indianapolis Star, 7 Feb. 2024

Further advances promise numerous benefits, such as gene therapies for as yet incurable diseases. —William MacAskill, Foreign Affairs, 11 Aug. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Late Latin; Anglo-French, from Late Latin incurabilis, from Latin in- + curabilis curable

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

incurable

adjective

in·​cur·​able (ˈ)in-ˈkyu̇r-ə-bəl 

: not capable of being cured

incurably

-blē 

adverb

Medical Definition

incurable

adjective

in·​cur·​able (ˈ)in-ˈkyu̇r-ə-bəl 

: impossible to cure

an incurable disease

incurably

-blē 

adverb