intolerable

1 of 2

adjective

in·​tol·​er·​a·​ble (ˌ)in-ˈtä-lə-rə-bəl How to pronounce intolerable (audio)
-ˈtäl-rə-, 
-ˈtä-lər-bəl
Synonyms of intolerablenext
1
: not tolerable : unbearable
intolerable pain
2
: excessive
intolerability
(ˌ)in-ˌtä-lə-rə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce intolerable (audio)
-ˌtäl-rə-, 
-ˌtä-lər-
noun
intolerableness
(ˌ)in-ˈtä-lə-rə-bəl-nəs How to pronounce intolerable (audio)
-ˈtäl-rə-, 
-ˈtä-lər-bəl-
noun
intolerably
(ˌ)in-ˈtä-lə-rə-blē How to pronounce intolerable (audio)
-ˈtäl-rə-, 
-ˈtä-lər-blē
adverb

intolerability

2 of 2

noun

in·​tolerability (¦)in How to pronounce intolerability (audio)
ən‧+
: the quality or state of being intolerable

Synonyms of intolerable

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Adjective

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of intolerable in a Sentence

Adjective She divorced him on the grounds of intolerable cruelty. this stifling heat is intolerable
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
But to Levi, this way of thinking was not only absurd, but intolerable. — Literary Hub, 13 May 2026 If speed becomes fetishized, ask where friction has become intolerable. — Sarah Davanzo, Rolling Stone, 11 May 2026 The thought of failure was intolerable. — Will Jeanes, New York Times, 20 June 2026 People who throw that line out there are usually pretty intolerable. — Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for intolerable

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin intolerabilis, from in- + tolerabilis tolerable

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Rhymes for intolerable

See All Rhymes for intolerable

Browse Nearby Words

intolerability
intolerable
intolerance
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

intolerable

adjective
in·​tol·​er·​a·​ble (ˈ)in-ˈtäl-(ə-)rə-bəl How to pronounce intolerable (audio)
-ˈtäl-ər-bəl
: not tolerable : unbearable
intolerable pain
intolerability
(ˌ)in-ˌtäl-(ə-)rə-ˈbil-ət-ē How to pronounce intolerable (audio)
noun
intolerably
(ˈ)in-ˈtäl-(ə-)rə-blē How to pronounce intolerable (audio)
-ˈtäl-ər-blē
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on intolerable

Nglish: Translation of intolerable for Spanish Speakers

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