1. something that has no chance of succeeding or being accepted
Usage: informal
2. a horse that does not start in a race
Usage: horse racing

Examples

• The proposal was a complete nonstarter from the beginning.
• His plan to build a casino in the small town was a nonstarter.
• Without proper funding, the project is a nonstarter.
• The committee rejected the idea as a nonstarter.
• Three horses were declared nonstarters due to injury.
• The favorite became a nonstarter when it pulled up lame.