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
noun -ˌtäl-rə-
-ˌtä-lər-
intolerableness
(ˌ)in-ˈtä-lə-rə-bəl-nəs
noun -ˈtäl-rə-
-ˈtä-lər-bəl-
intolerably
(ˌ)in-ˈtä-lə-rə-blē
adverb -ˈtäl-rə-
-ˈtä-lər-blē
Synonyms
- insufferable
- insupportable
- unbearable
- unendurable
- unsupportable
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
She divorced him on the grounds of intolerable cruelty. this stifling heat is intolerable
Recent Examples on the Web The new rules were just the latest blow for some users who have recently sought refuge elsewhere from China’s dominant social-media sites, saying the levels of censorship and harassment online have grown intolerable. 
Shen Lu, WSJ, 4 Aug. 2022 In the years that have passed since the agreement was signed, the protocol has never been fully implemented because to do so would be politically intolerable. Tom Mctague, The Atlantic, 18 May 2022 Ignazio Cassis told a news conference Monday that Russia’s invasion was intolerable on moral and political grounds. oregonlive, 28 Feb. 2022 By the time Irene has come to suspect her husband, her quiet rage has grown intolerable. Nylah Burton, refinery29.com, 11 Nov. 2021 This would be intolerable for the GOP and ex-GOP alike. Bonnie Kristian, The Week, 2 June 2021 But violence, putting at risk the safety of others including those tasked with providing security for all of us, is intolerable both at home and abroad. CBS News, 7 Jan. 2021 Some have left bedside nursing for administrative positions, while others quit the profession altogether, saying the risk of going to prison for a mistake has made nursing intolerable. CBS News, 13 May 2022 Some people report adverse skin reactions like rashes after usage, while others find the strong smell intolerable. Rachel Ng, Outside Online, 14 Aug. 2021 See More
Shen Lu, WSJ, 4 Aug. 2022 In the years that have passed since the agreement was signed, the protocol has never been fully implemented because to do so would be politically intolerable. Tom Mctague, The Atlantic, 18 May 2022 Ignazio Cassis told a news conference Monday that Russia’s invasion was intolerable on moral and political grounds. oregonlive, 28 Feb. 2022 By the time Irene has come to suspect her husband, her quiet rage has grown intolerable. Nylah Burton, refinery29.com, 11 Nov. 2021 This would be intolerable for the GOP and ex-GOP alike. Bonnie Kristian, The Week, 2 June 2021 But violence, putting at risk the safety of others including those tasked with providing security for all of us, is intolerable both at home and abroad. CBS News, 7 Jan. 2021 Some have left bedside nursing for administrative positions, while others quit the profession altogether, saying the risk of going to prison for a mistake has made nursing intolerable. CBS News, 13 May 2022 Some people report adverse skin reactions like rashes after usage, while others find the strong smell intolerable. Rachel Ng, Outside Online, 14 Aug. 2021 See More 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
Kids Definition
intolerable
adjective
in·tol·er·a·ble in-ˈtä-lə-rə-bəl
: unbearable
intolerable heat
intolerable
adjective
1
as in unbearable
more than can be put up with this stifling heat is intolerable Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- unbearable
- unendurable
- insufferable
- extreme
- insupportable
- unacceptable
- unsupportable
- intense
- overwhelming
- terrible
- painful
- harsh
- horrible
- uncomfortable
- obnoxious
- appalling
- disgusting
- crushing
- dreadful
- acute
- torturous
- excruciating
- vile
- horrendous
- horrid
- sickening
- horrifying
- repugnant
- repulsive
- loathsome
- nightmarish
- shocking
- odious
- revolting
- unspeakable
- wretched
- gruesome
- distasteful
- comfortless
- heinous
- offensive
- harrowing
- piercing
- nauseating
- noxious
- tormenting
- hard
- grewsome
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- tolerable
- acceptable
- endurable
- sustainable
- supportable
- livable
- sufferable
- adequate
- reasonable
- satisfactory
- allowable
- liveable
- admissible
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
- excessive
- extreme
- insane
- steep
- extravagant
- unbearable
- infinite
- endless
- unconscionable
- exorbitant
- undue
- inordinate
- lavish
- immoderate
- plethoric
- inappropriate
- baroque
- unmerciful
- fancy
- overmuch
- devilish
- overweening
- overdue
- overextravagant
- stiff
- over the top
- unjustifiable
- improper
- immeasurable
- a bit much
- towering
- unwarranted
- limitless
- boundless
- unseemly
- thick
- unrestrained
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- reasonable
- inadequate
- insufficient
- moderate
- modest
- minimal
- deficient
- minimum
- middling
- temperate
- cast (up)
- cast a (dark) cloud
- cast a cloud
- cast a dark cloud
- cast a pall on
- cast a pall on/over
- cast a pall over
- cast about
- cast about (for)
- cast about for
- cast about/around for
- cast adrift
- cast and crew
- cast around
- cast around (for)
- cast around for
- cast aside
- cast aspersions
- cast aspersions on
- cast back
- cast behind
- cast caution to the wind
- cast coating
- cast doubt on
- cast down