bearable

adjective

bear·​able ˈber-ə-bəl How to pronounce bearable (audio)
: capable of being borne
bearability noun
bearably adverb

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
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.
Still, for those who discover it, this tiny design detail can turn an uncomfortable seat into a slightly more bearable one. Alesandra Dubin, Southern Living, 6 Oct. 2025 Best Shoe Deals Darting through airports for flight connections and busy itineraries of sightseeing are more bearable experiences when your feet aren’t in shambles. Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 4 Oct. 2025 These picks can fit most laptops, plus books, water bottles, gym sneakers, packed lunches, and whatever else makes your commute more bearable. Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 30 Sep. 2025 Points mainly confer bragging rights, but pilots can also exchange them for items that make life at the front more bearable. Ken Harbaugh, The Atlantic, 15 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bearable

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1557, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bearable was circa 1557

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Cite this Entry

“Bearable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bearable. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

bearable

adjective
bear·​able ˈbar-ə-bəl How to pronounce bearable (audio)
ˈber-
: possible to bear

More from Merriam-Webster on bearable

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