bearable

adjective

bear·​able ˈber-ə-bəl 

: capable of being borne

bearability

ˌber-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

bearably

ˈber-ə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms of bearable

• endurable
• tolerable

Examples of bearable in a Sentence

He's in a great deal of pain, but the medication makes it bearable.

the pain from a sprained ankle is annoying but bearable

Recent Examples on the Web

Speaking about John makes dinner bearable. —Allegra Goodman, New Yorker, 4 Jan. 2026

So here’s to the mid-January party and making a miserable month—a little—more bearable. —Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2026

On days when the cold is somewhat bearable in the city, trade in your standard parka for a stylish shearling coat or an ever-so-chic scarf coat. —Morgan Evans, InStyle, 31 Dec. 2025

How bizarre, though, to hold entertainment, one of the handful of things that make this planet bearable, in such low esteem, like an opera house that proclaims its commitment to justice but forgets to mention music. —Jackson Arn, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1557, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bearable

• arable
• parable
• terrible
• wearable
• repairable
• unbearable

Kids Definition

bearable

adjective

bear·​able ˈbar-ə-bəl 

ˈber-

: possible to bear