insurmountable

adjective

in·​sur·​mount·​able ˌin(t)-sər-ˈmau̇n-tə-bəl How to pronounce insurmountable (audio)
: incapable of being surmounted : insuperable
insurmountable problems
insurmountably adverb

Examples of insurmountable in a Sentence

They were faced with several insurmountable obstacles. the familiar story of the underdog who ultimately triumphs despite insurmountable odds
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.
Having waited 24 years for such a dramatic postseason homer, Seattle fans were treated to another just moments later when Suárez’s heroics gave the Mariners an insurmountable lead. Jamie Barton, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025 The longer-term challenge for the US is also daunting — how to play catch up in a slow-moving industry, one in which Chinese state enterprises control prices — but not insurmountable. Andy Browne, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2025 New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District backed Joe Biden by 7 points in 2020 and Kamala Harris by a mere 3 in 2024, earning a Cook Partisan Voter Index of D+2 — hardly an insurmountable blue tilt, especially with independents making up 40% of the electorate in New Hampshire. Kristin Tate, Boston Herald, 15 Oct. 2025 Some industry experts who have spent years tackling seemingly insurmountable problems are beginning to see real promise in using generative AI for content moderation. John Wihbey, Big Think, 7 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for insurmountable

Word History

First Known Use

1690, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of insurmountable was in 1690

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Cite this Entry

“Insurmountable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insurmountable. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

insurmountable

adjective
in·​sur·​mount·​able ˌin(t)-sər-ˈmau̇nt-ə-bəl How to pronounce insurmountable (audio)
: incapable of being surmounted

More from Merriam-Webster on insurmountable

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