intolerable

1 of 2

adjective

in·​tol·​er·​a·​ble (ˌ)in-ˈtä-lə-rə-bəl 

-ˈtäl-rə-, 

-ˈtä-lər-bəl

1

: not tolerable : unbearable

intolerable pain

2

: excessive

intolerability

(ˌ)in-ˌtä-lə-rə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

-ˌtäl-rə-, 

-ˌtä-lər-

noun

intolerableness

(ˌ)in-ˈtä-lə-rə-bəl-nəs 

-ˈtäl-rə-, 

-ˈtä-lər-bəl-

noun

intolerably

(ˌ)in-ˈtä-lə-rə-blē 

-ˈtäl-rə-, 

-ˈtä-lər-blē

adverb

intolerability

2 of 2

noun

in·​tolerability (¦)in 

ən‧+

: the quality or state of being intolerable

Synonyms of intolerable

Adjective

• unbearable

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

Adjective

Is a moment of discomfort or failure or confusion so intolerable that it must be scrubbed away forever? — James Folta, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026

The intolerable conditions could very well lead to a further explosion of violence. — Khaled Elgindy, Foreign Affairs, 8 Oct. 2026

Decisions that feel low-risk today may be intolerable in just a few years. — Pavel Bykov, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Life was an onslaught of bright lights, loud noises, intolerable textures and tastes. — Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026

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

Rhymes for intolerable

• tolerable

Kids Definition

intolerable

adjective

in·​tol·​er·​a·​ble (ˈ)in-ˈtäl-(ə-)rə-bəl 

-ˈtäl-ər-bəl

: not tolerable : unbearable

intolerable pain

intolerability

(ˌ)in-ˌtäl-(ə-)rə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

intolerably

(ˈ)in-ˈtäl-(ə-)rə-blē 

-ˈtäl-ər-blē

adverb