nonstarter
noun
non·start·er
ˌnän-ˈstär-tər 
1
: one that does not start
2
: someone or something that is not productive or effective
his son has been, in politics a nonstarter—
Anthony Lejeune
Anthony LejeuneExamples of nonstarter in a Sentence
She's the leading scorer among the team's nonstarters.
Recent Examples on the Web
The measure would boost defense spending while trimming domestic social programs below 2024 levels, an approach that is a nonstarter for Democratic leaders who insist that Pentagon and nondefense spending move in the same direction.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 10 Mar. 2025
That approach is likely to be a nonstarter for most Democrats who have long insisted that defense and nondefense spending move in the same direction.
—arkansasonline.com, 9 Mar. 2025
Democrats have also sought assurances that the White House would spend the money as Congress appropriates in the wake of Trump and Elon Musk’s efforts to slash the federal bureaucracy, which has been a nonstarter for Republicans.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 9 Mar. 2025
And given the brutal physical nature of football, adding an extra game that doesn't lead to the Super Bowl is probably a nonstarter.
—David K. Li, NBC News, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nonstarter
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.
Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 10 Mar. 2025
That approach is likely to be a nonstarter for most Democrats who have long insisted that defense and nondefense spending move in the same direction.
—arkansasonline.com, 9 Mar. 2025
Democrats have also sought assurances that the White House would spend the money as Congress appropriates in the wake of Trump and Elon Musk’s efforts to slash the federal bureaucracy, which has been a nonstarter for Republicans.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 9 Mar. 2025
And given the brutal physical nature of football, adding an extra game that doesn't lead to the Super Bowl is probably a nonstarter.
—David K. Li, NBC News, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nonstarter
Cite this Entry
“Nonstarter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonstarter. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share