intolerable

adjective

(ˌ)in-ˈtä-lə-rə-bəl How to pronounce intolerable (audio)
Definition of intolerablenext
1
as in unbearable
more than can be put up with this stifling heat is intolerable

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 The Clinton administration’s newest rule change seemed, to the Willamette’s champions, a last, intolerable insult. — Literary Hub, 10 July 2026 There were short wait times for groups in front of us on a Friday evening, but not intolerable. — Barbara Ellis, Denver Post, 7 July 2026 That would be intolerable in any other setting – not because every voter or marcher is admirable, but because constitutional rights are not based on a government employee’s benevolent opinion. — George A. Mocsary, The Conversation, 7 July 2026 Characters have become almost intolerable to watch outside of a small handful. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for intolerable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intolerable
  1. unbearable
  2. excessive
  3. extreme
  4. insane
  5. steep
  6. extravagant
Adjective
  • The days before a treatment plan is set can be a confusing and unpredictable time, but know that all the information gathering will be worth it, even if the wait feels unbearable.
    — Lindy Segal, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
  • That pertness should be unbearable, but the scene is written in a minor key and performed by both actors to match, favouring eye contact and murmurs; the sheer brevity prevents it from becoming gloopy or crass.
    — Caspar Salmon, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of unbearable
Adjective
  • Carrying five tight ends is excessive, so there probably won’t be room for Fidone unless Theo Johnson’s shoulder injury is more serious than initially believed.
    — Dan Duggan, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Interestingly, patient education level or excessive punctuation had little impact.
    — Paul Hsieh, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of excessive
Adjective
  • China is also blocked from accessing ASML’s most advanced extreme ultraviolet (EUV) machines.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Intel is a slightly different case because it’s also caught up in the mania for chip stocks as spending on artificial intelligence creates extreme demand for semiconductors.
    — Norah Rami, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of extreme
Adjective
  • The new season has been absolutely insane through four episodes as the hunt to save Joe (Zoe Saldaña) from her kidnappers is underway.
    — David Hookstead OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026
  • If Gigi is malintentioned and insane and a homewrecker, there’s no story, right?
    — Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of insane
Adjective
  • That suggests the newcomer won’t have a steep learning curve.
    — Matt Barrows, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • After the church service, the crowd climbed up a steep hill and followed the hearses transporting the coffins to a nearby cemetery.
    — Evens Sanon, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of steep
Adjective
  • Despite all of this potential economic turmoil on the Canadian side, Carney still concluded that at the end of the day, the cost of acceding to Washington’s extravagant demands was higher than the cost of job losses and strain on a key industry.
    — Daniel DePetris, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Their journey leads them through an extravagant amusement park built on the grounds of a drug lord’s former estate.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of extravagant

Browse Nearby Words

intolerability
intolerable
intolerably
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Cite this Entry

“Intolerable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intolerable. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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