intolerable

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

Synonyms of intolerable

• unbearable

Examples of intolerable in a Sentence

She divorced him on the grounds of intolerable cruelty.

this stifling heat is intolerable

Recent Examples on the Web

Long term consequences are abstract and abstraction is intolerable to a personality organized around constant validation. —Literary Hub, 23 Jan. 2026

Extend your knees only to a comfortable range, keeping them slightly bent if a full extension feels intolerable. —Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 20 Jan. 2026

This is intolerable, unacceptable and certainly what us lawyers and our profession will never promote, advocate for, nor condone. —Miles J. Zaremski, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Jan. 2026

In particular, Jenna Fletcher, mom of three from the greater Philadelphia area, finds the sound of Blippi’s laugh intolerable. —​wendy Wisner, Parents, 17 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

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