unbearable

adjective

un·​bear·​able ˌən-ˈber-ə-bəl 

: not bearable : unendurable

unbearable pain

unbearably

ˌən-ˈber-ə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms of unbearable

• intolerable
• intense
• extreme
• overwhelming
• unendurable
• terrible
• insufferable
• unacceptable
• harsh
• painful

Examples of unbearable in a Sentence

We were in an almost unbearable state of excitement.

this heat is unbearable—when are we going to get air-conditioning?

Recent Examples on the Web

Plus, the heat waves that have defined the past few weeks have been unbearable for humans and home systems. — Alora Bopray, USA Today, 31 July 2026

Prolonged silence is psychologically unbearable, preventing closure and fostering negative biases. — Alejandro Cárdenas Villa, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

The weight of the job, undertaken since 2017, sounded unbearable. — Nick Miller, New York Times, 24 July 2026

And once again, survivors are left behind, with their truth, their trauma, and the unbearable frustration of a system that never seems to deliver justice. — Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 22 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unbearable

• arable
• bearable
• parable
• terrible
• wearable
• repairable

Kids Definition

unbearable

adjective

un·​bear·​able ˌən-ˈbar-ə-bəl 

ˈən-, 

-ˈber-

: greater than can be borne

unbearable pain

unbearably

-blē 

adverb