intolerant

adjective

in·​tol·​er·​ant (ˌ)in-ˈtä-lə-rənt 

-ˈtä--rənt

1

: unable or unwilling to endure

2

a

: unwilling to grant equal freedom of expression especially in religious matters

b

: unwilling to grant or share social, political, or professional rights : bigoted

3

: exhibiting physiological intolerance

lactose intolerant

intolerantly adverb

intolerantness noun

Synonyms

• impatient
• complaining

Examples of intolerant in a Sentence

intolerant of fools, she is not an easy person to work for

intolerant people who callously deny others the very rights that they take for granted

Recent Examples on the Web

Non-dairy milk alternatives, such as oat, soy, almond, rice, and cashew milk, are excellent options for individuals who wish to consume milk but are intolerant to lactose or other ingredients found in milk or lactose-free milk. —Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 8 Aug. 2025

There are those that are freeze intolerant — most tropicals and annuals. —Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025

Back then, a majority of those polled in 37 countries called Trump arrogant, intolerant and dangerous. —Frank Langfitt, NPR, 12 June 2025

Shasta daisies are intolerant of wet soil, which encourages crown and root rots that shorten the life of plants. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 28 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1735, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing intolerant

• lactose intolerant

Rhymes for intolerant

• tolerant

Kids Definition

intolerant

adjective

in·​tol·​er·​ant (ˈ)in-ˈtäl-(ə-)rənt 

1

: unable or unwilling to endure

2

: unwilling to grant equality, freedom, or other social rights

intolerantly adverb

Medical Definition

intolerant

adjective

in·​tol·​er·​ant

(ˈ)in-ˈtäl(-ə)-rənt

: exhibiting physiological intolerance : unable to properly metabolize or absorb a substance

People who are lactose intolerant cannot digest lactose because their small intestines do not produce enough lactase, the enzyme that breaks lactose down …

—Jeffrey Steingarten, Vogue