interminable

[ in-tur-muh-nuh-buhl ]

adjective

1. incapable of being terminated; unending:

   an interminable job.

2. monotonously or annoyingly protracted or continued; unceasing; incessant:

   I can't stand that interminable clatter.

3. having no limits:

   an interminable desert.

interminable

/ ɪnˈtɜːmɪnəbəl /

adjective

1. endless or seemingly endless because of monotony or tiresome length

Derived Forms

• inˈterminably, adverb
• inˌterminaˈbility, noun

Other Words From

• in·termi·na·ble·ness in·termi·na·bili·ty noun
• in·termi·na·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of interminable¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English word from Late Latin word interminābilis. See in- ³, terminable

Example Sentences

Beers said she empathized with young children’s caregivers, for whom this wait has felt interminable.

From Washington Post

Waiting for a Kanye West album can be an excruciating, interminable experience.

From Time

It would be best, of course, if both tech companies there and here and government everywhere recognize that they have to work together for the common good rather than fighting interminable turf wars.

From Time

That’s great for some people and certain situations—but sometimes, instead of poring over a seemingly interminable menu, you just want to order the special.

From Outside Online

It is because the baseball season is interminable, a grueling slog where success is dependent only partially on talent but also on endurance, which involves so-called intangibles such as chemistry, morale and momentum.

From Washington Post

They feed the mind, to be sure, but also help him get through the interminable hours he spends on planes.

From The Daily Beast

Under Sepp Blatter, its interminable head, the body has been opaque and corrupt.

From The Daily Beast

She wore her wounds with pride, addicted to looking as sick as she felt—a warrior in an interminable battle against herself.

From The Daily Beast

Lines at markets are long and the waits seemingly interminable.

From The Daily Beast

He began with a seemingly interminable preface about going fishing with his 10-year-old son, Harry, and spotting a bird in a tree.

From The Daily Beast

She lost herself in the interminable corridors and finally ran into Elton Gwynne.

From Project Gutenberg

Finally, after what seemed an interminable period of waiting, Mac's patience frazzled out and he declared for action.

From Project Gutenberg

However, revolution followed revolution, and the war appeared to me to be interminable.

From Project Gutenberg

Such a course would tend only to bloody and interminable anarchy.

From Project Gutenberg

The gently rolling prairie stretched to a creek on one side, and to interminable distance on the other.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• boundless
• continuous
• endless
• eternal
• incessant
• limitless
• long-winded
• never-ending
• perpetual
• protracted