intolerable

[ in-tol-er-uh-buhl ]

adjective

1. not tolerable; unendurable; insufferable:

   intolerable pain.

   Synonyms: insupportable, unbearable

   Antonyms: endurable

2. excessive.

intolerable

/ ɪnˈtɒlərəbəl /

adjective

1. more than can be tolerated or endured; insufferable
2. informal.
   extremely irritating or annoying

Derived Forms

• inˌtoleraˈbility, noun
• inˈtolerably, adverb

Other Word Forms

• in·toler·a·bili·ty in·toler·a·ble·ness noun
• in·toler·a·bly adverb
• quasi-in·toler·a·ble adjective
• quasi-in·toler·a·bly adverb
• super·in·toler·a·ble adjective
• super·in·toler·a·ble·ness noun
• super·in·toler·a·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of intolerable¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English word from Latin word intolerābilis. See in- ³, tolerable

Example Sentences

He added that he had told his neighbors it was pointless to fight, but the Israeli incursions were intolerable for many people here.

From Los Angeles Times

It introduced Maid in 2016, initially for terminally ill adults with a serious and incurable physical illness, which causes intolerable suffering.

From BBC

Our whole political landscape is a repercussion of #MeToo, of Black Lives Matter, of us standing up and voicing what becomes intolerable.

From Los Angeles Times

A loud party can be the fun that makes life worth living and someone else's intolerable noise.

From BBC

Plus, he said his administration knows the circumstances in Haiti are intolerable.

From Salon

Related Words

• extreme
• impossible
• painful
• unbearable