interminable

adjective

in·​ter·​mi·​na·​ble (ˌ)in-ˈtər-mə-nə-bəl How to pronounce interminable (audio)
-ˈtərm-nə-
Synonyms of interminablenext
: having or seeming to have no end
especially : wearisomely protracted
an interminable sermon
interminableness noun

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We promise not to ramble on endlessly about the origins of interminable. This word was borrowed into English in the 15th century, from a Latin word combining the prefix in- ("not") and the verb terminare, meaning "to terminate" or "to limit." Interminable describes not only something without an actual end (or no end in sight, such as "interminable traffic"), but also events, such as tedious lectures, that drag on in such a way that they give no clear indication of ever wrapping up. Some relatives of interminable in English include terminate, determine, terminal, and exterminate.

Examples of interminable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Back in the day, Wathan felt like five-plus years was an interminable wait to get to the major leagues. Vahe Gregorian july 5, Kansas City Star, 5 July 2026 Fuming while on an interminable hold with customer service. Carolyn Todd, Washington Post, 13 June 2026 He was used to being alone without Robin and postretirement but being alone in the interminable stretch of predawn hours was a different sort of emptiness. Danielle Parker, CBS News, 30 June 2026 Little happens other than chain-smoking, costume changes and interminable shots of color-shifting strobe lighting splaying across the cast’s cheekbones. Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for interminable

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Late Latin interminabilis, from Latin in- + terminare to terminate

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of interminable was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Interminable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interminable. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

interminable

adjective
: having or seeming to have no end
especially : tiresomely long
interminableness noun

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