nonstarter

noun non·start·er \-ˈstär-tər\

: someone or something that will not be effective or successful

sports : a player who is not chosen to play at the beginning of games : a player who is not one of the starters on a team

Full Definition of NONSTARTER

: one that does not start

: someone or something that is not productive or effective <his son has been, in politics a nonstarter — Anthony Lejeune>

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1902

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