insurmountable

[in-ser-moun-tuh-buhl]

adjective

1. incapable of being surmounted, passed over, or overcome; insuperable.

   an insurmountable obstacle.

insurmountable

/ ˌɪnsəˈmaʊntəbəl /

adjective

1. incapable of being overcome; insuperable

Other Word Forms

• insurmountability noun
• insurmountableness noun
• insurmountably adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of insurmountable¹

First recorded in 1690–1700; in- ³ + surmountable ( def. )

Example Sentences

At halftime, the 14-point Ducks lead seemed a lot larger and, it turns out, was insurmountable.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Until now, the prospect of placing an NFL team—or perhaps an entire division—across the Atlantic had faced the seemingly insurmountable logistical hurdle of travel times.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Six points from two games or four points in the right order - one against Greece, three against Denmark - doesn't seem insurmountable when Scotland have already achieved 10 points in four games.

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With more than 1,200 pages to plough through, it's often regarded as the Everest of literature with prose as insurmountable as the famed peak.

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Learning a musical instrument can be an arduous journey, one often fraught with blistered fingers, frayed patience and what can seem like an endless series of insurmountable hurdles.

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Related Words

• hopeless 
• impassable 
• impregnable 
• invincible 
• overwhelming 
• unbeatable