NONSTARTER Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

nonstarter

noun

Definition of nonstarter

as in loser

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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

Noun

In many of life’s winner-loser outcomes, the fate of the losers is all but inevitable, granted the values, resources and determination of the winners.

— James Coffin, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026
Gaskell noted that a relatively small number of active losers account for a substantial amount of sportsbooks’ revenue.

— ProPublica, ProPublica, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of loser

Noun

The weekend is not expected to be a complete washout, but passing storms will remain possible Saturday and Sunday.

— Lissette Gonzalez, CBS News, 29 Sep. 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

After the storms, Pritzker issued a state disaster proclamation that made additional state resources available for response and recovery, his office said.

— Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 9 Oct. 2026
Exhibitors include first responder agencies and non-governmental organizations that showcase new technologies, offer recruitment opportunities, and demonstrate local preparedness and disaster response capabilities.

— CBS News, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of disaster

Noun

The top prize there was awarded to The Lake, directed by Abby Ellis, a film exploring the environmental catastrophe posed by the rapidly shrinking Great Salt Lake in Utah.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 11 Oct. 2026
Mahomes’ rapid recovery from last year’s ACL/LCL catastrophe is great news for Kansas City fans and the NFL’s TV/streaming partners, as he and the Chiefs are slated to pop up in as many as 12 national windows before the playoffs arrive.

— Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of catastrophe

Noun

Completed in 1919, the hospital was a flop, as only 33 veterans -- of 30,000 contacted -- expressed interest in care.

— Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026
The infamous stage musical adaptation of Stephen King’s novel about a telekinetic high schooler was a massive Broadway flop in 1988 but has been redeemed by steady community and college theater productions over the decades since.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of flop

Noun

Read our original story on the Raw Dog Comedy debacle here; for SiriusXM’s next moves, stay tuned.

— Matt Grobar, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
Rather than being censured for the debacle, however, Li was elevated by Xi to the top ranks of the Politburo Standing Committee in 2022 and made state premier in 2023.

— Carl Minzner, Foreign Affairs, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of debacle

Noun

Three children were among those killed when Russian aerial bombs hit residential buildings in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine’s State Emergency Service said Saturday.

— Matthew Daly, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026
Months of American and Israeli bombs have damaged the country’s industries and infrastructure, spiking unemployment and pushing more Iranians into poverty.

— Narges Bajoghli, Foreign Affairs, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of bomb

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“Nonstarter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonstarter. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of nonstarter

noun

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