unendurable

adjective

un·​en·​dur·​able ˌən-in-ˈdu̇r-ə-bəl 

-ˈdyu̇r-,

-en-

: too unpleasant, painful, or difficult to accept or endure : not endurable : unbearable

unendurable suffering

… periods of unendurable stress and desperation.

—Oliver Sacks

unendurably

ˌən-in-ˈdu̇r-ə-blē 

-ˈdyu̇r-

-en-

adverb

an unendurably boring speech

unendurableness noun

Synonyms

• insufferable
• insupportable
• intolerable
• unbearable
• unsupportable

Examples of unendurable in a Sentence

people used to travel along this stretch of the highway by night so as to avoid the unendurable heat of the day

Recent Examples on the Web

The 23-year-old captive’s parents showed all the anguish and anxiety that would befall anyone in their unendurable position. —Noah Rothman, National Review, 3 Sep. 2024

Both Nelson Mandela and John McCain said being placed in solitary was more painful and unendurable than any of the physical tortures their jailors imposed. —Dr. James Gilligan, New York Daily News, 18 Jan. 2024

Conversations attempted in line for the Berghain toilets have a success rate of about 25 percent, some of which must be attributed to one party’s desire to join the other in their stall, to more quickly put an end to the unendurable wait. —Frederick Kaufman, Harper's Magazine, 26 Feb. 2024

And yet, these statements fail to convey any indication that the administration understands this wave of violence will not stop until the costs of Iran’s campaign of aggression become unendurable. —The Editors, National Review, 29 Jan. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined above