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

• inˈtolerably, adverb
• inˌtoleraˈbility, noun

Other Words From

• 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

Millions across the globe suffered from unfair policies, unsafe conditions, and intolerable mistreatment, often in exchange for inexcusably low pay.

From Time

The whole intolerable spectacle — an ironic, spiritually deflating take on the sublimity of the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel — is complemented by booming audio.

From Washington Post

Batali and Bastianich permitted an intolerable work environment and allowed shameful behavior that is inappropriate in any setting.

From Washington Post

There’s something about the sound they make when buzzing up close to your ear and that uniquely maddening itching sensation they cause that makes them intolerable.

From The Daily Beast

He carried the letter around in his pocket to show to family and friends as proof of his father’s intolerable bullying.

From Washington Post

When the problem is already political, when the intolerable situation is the status quo?

From The Daily Beast

“My personal life had basically reached a dead end and the pressures on me were intolerable,” he says.

From The Daily Beast

It also must have diminished significantly the CGI budget, as well as removed an intolerable amount of background noise.

From The Daily Beast

A joke rapper is one thing, but a bad joke rapper is intolerable.

From The Daily Beast

Like action thrillers, they provide almost intolerable excitement, brushing you up against danger.

From The Daily Beast

It combats ennui, lassitude, and intolerable vacuity, soothing the nerves and diverting attention from self.

From Project Gutenberg

To make my position more intolerable, I am persona non grata with both sides.

From Project Gutenberg

Rain storms, hot winds, sweltering intervals of intolerable heat—these were vagaries of nature and might be endured.

From Project Gutenberg

They pay the penalty in that late—sometimes not so late—intolerable maddening ennui.

From Project Gutenberg

Age asks with timidity to be spared intolerable pain; youth, taking fortune by the beard, demands joy like a right.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• extreme
• impossible
• painful
• unbearable