surmountable

American  

[ser-moun-tuh-buhl] / sərˈmaʊn tə bəl /

adjective

1. (of a difficulty or challenge) able to be overcome; manageable.

   The task of reducing corruption is daunting, to say the least, but the challenges are surmountable.

2. (of a physical barrier or high place) able to be climbed or to be gotten past or over.

   The low mountain range acts as a surmountable geographical barrier between the two regions, allowing access but still creating regional identities.

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Other Word Forms

• surmountableness noun
• unsurmountable adjective

Etymology

Origin of surmountable

surmount ( def. ) + -able ( def. )

Example Sentences

Although the hurdles are surmountable, the additional procedural requirements could hobble a fast-moving operation, current and former U.S. officials said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

Ordeals, such as they are, tend to be minor and surmountable; notions that everything is lost amount of misunderstandings.

From Salon • Dec. 7, 2024

And then, if that playoff gap isn’t more surmountable midweek, deal more players by Friday.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 5, 2024

By not making the obstacles seem easily surmountable, the movie respects everyone’s hard work, regardless of success.

From New York Times • Dec. 10, 2023

The hole where Airlock 1 used to be is huge, but surmountable.

From "The Martian" by Andy Weir