1
as in unbearable
more than can be put up with
this stifling heat is intolerable
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in excessive
going beyond a normal or acceptable limit in degree or amount
the intolerable haste with which the press passed judgment on the accused
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of intolerable
Iran’s control of the strait is intolerable to the United Arab Emirates and the nation is willing to join the war to keep it open, the Wall Street Journal says.
—
Jim Edwards, Fortune, 1 Apr. 2026
In the study where people chose electric shocks over sitting alone with their thoughts, being with their inner experience felt almost intolerable.
—J. David Creswell, The Conversation, 31 Mar. 2026
If your instinct is to balk at the idea of treating Harry Potter as a religious text, compare this retreat with followers of any religion who have grappled with their beliefs alongside the intolerable actions of church leadership.
—Séamas O'Reilly, Vulture, 26 Mar. 2026
That is intolerable for the United States.
—Jack Fink, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for intolerable
Jim Edwards, Fortune, 1 Apr. 2026
In the study where people chose electric shocks over sitting alone with their thoughts, being with their inner experience felt almost intolerable.
—J. David Creswell, The Conversation, 31 Mar. 2026
If your instinct is to balk at the idea of treating Harry Potter as a religious text, compare this retreat with followers of any religion who have grappled with their beliefs alongside the intolerable actions of church leadership.
—Séamas O'Reilly, Vulture, 26 Mar. 2026
That is intolerable for the United States.
—Jack Fink, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for intolerable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intolerable
Adjective
-
The couple stepped back in 2020, citing unbearable intrusions by the British press and a lack of support from the palace.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Chemistry a texture in the air, every glance charged, the anticipation almost unbearable.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The author emphasizes that the library book controversy—central to the group’s identity—was excessive and poorly conceived.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Ed Masley Weather can make all the difference at an outdoor music festival, as anyone who’s shivered through a cold and rainy night to see their favorite band (or couldn’t take selfies because their smartphone powered down to save itself from the excessive heat) can tell you.—
Ed Masley,
AZCentral.com,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But that was extreme, that was a different level.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Say goodbye to back pain and sore muscles with the Chirp Wheel XR 3-Pack, your at-home toolkit for extreme relief.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
And leading the country is a megalomaniac — Anthony Starr’s always riveting Homelander — who might be going insane.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Apr. 2026
-
By any normal corporate logic, this was an insane thing to promise.—
Ronan Farrow,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Near a lookout offering sweeping views, Gerhardt Konig, 47 — upset about his wife's relationship with a coworker — tried to push her off the steep trail, bashed her head with a rock and attempted to stab her with a syringe, prosecutors said.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
There is a steep drop-off from around the top 150; for players in that region, life on tour can be a matter of just breaking even.—
Dan Sheldon,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Blown out, extravagant, dripping with ferocious malaise and desperation, but precisely arranged for the maximum possible emotional effect.—
Mikael Wood,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Even dinner is an extravagant affair.—
Catherine Garcia,
TheWeek,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Intolerable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intolerable. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
