Intolerable — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /(ˌ)in-ˈtä-lə-rə-bəl/ in·tol·er·a·ble

Meaning & Definition of Intolerable

Intolerable (adjective)

  1. not tolerable, unbearable
  2. excessive

Intolerable (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. more than can be put up with

    "this stifling heat is intolerable"

    similar: insufferable, insupportable, unbearable, unendurable, unsupportable
    related: unacceptable, crushing, overwhelming, comfortless, hard, harsh, painful, uncomfortable, appalling, dreadful, excruciating, gruesome, harrowing, horrendous, horrible, horrid, horrifying, nightmarish, shocking, terrible, tormenting, torturous, vile, wretched, acute, extreme, intense, piercing, disgusting, distasteful, loathsome, nauseating, obnoxious, offensive, repugnant, repulsive, revolting, sickening, heinous, noxious, odious, unspeakable
    opposite: endurable, sufferable, supportable, sustainable, tolerable
    near: livable, acceptable, adequate, admissible, allowable, reasonable, satisfactory

  2. going beyond a normal or acceptable limit in degree or amount

    "the intolerable haste with which the press passed judgment on the accused"

    similar: baroque, devilish, excessive, exorbitant, extravagant, extreme, fancy, immoderate, inordinate, insane, lavish, over-the-top, overdue, overextravagant, overmuch, overweening, plethoric, steep, stiff, towering, unconscionable, undue, unmerciful, a bit much
    related: boundless, endless, immeasurable, infinite, limitless, unbearable, unjustifiable, unwarranted, improper, inappropriate, thick, unseemly, unrestrained
    opposite: middling, moderate, modest, reasonable, temperate
    near: deficient, inadequate, insufficient, minimal, minimum

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Intolerable

The most common words with a similar meaning to Intolerable:

insufferable, insupportable, unbearable, unendurable, unsupportable, baroque, devilish, excessive, exorbitant, extravagant, extreme, fancy, immoderate, inordinate, insane, lavish, over-the-top, overdue, overextravagant, overmuch, overweening, plethoric, steep, stiff, towering, unconscionable, undue, unmerciful, a bit much

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Intolerable

Words with the opposite meaning of Intolerable:

endurable, sufferable, supportable, sustainable, tolerable, middling, moderate, modest, reasonable, temperate

Related Words for Intolerable

unacceptable, crushing, overwhelming, comfortless, hard, harsh, painful, uncomfortable, appalling, dreadful, excruciating, gruesome, harrowing, horrendous, horrible, horrid, horrifying, nightmarish, shocking, terrible, tormenting, torturous, vile, wretched, acute, intense, piercing, disgusting, distasteful, loathsome

Near Antonyms of Intolerable

livable, acceptable, adequate, admissible, allowable, satisfactory, deficient, inadequate, insufficient, minimal, minimum

Word Forms of Intolerable

Derived words: intolerability (noun), intolerableness (noun), intolerably (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Intolerable

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin intolerabilis, from in- + tolerabilis tolerable

First known use: 15th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Intolerable

What does "Intolerable" mean?

"Intolerable" means not tolerable, unbearable. As an adjective, it is defined as: not tolerable, unbearable. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Intolerable"?

Other words for "Intolerable" include insufferable, insupportable, unbearable, unendurable, unsupportable, baroque, devilish and excessive. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Intolerable" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Intolerable"?

There are 82 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Intolerable". Common alternatives include insufferable, insupportable, unbearable, unendurable, unsupportable, baroque, devilish, excessive, exorbitant and extravagant.

What is the opposite of "Intolerable"?

Antonyms of "Intolerable" include endurable, sufferable, supportable, sustainable, tolerable, middling, moderate and modest. Near antonyms include livable, acceptable, adequate and admissible.

How do you use "Intolerable" in a sentence?

Examples of "Intolerable" in a sentence: "this stifling heat is intolerable"; "the intolerable haste with which the press passed judgment on the accused".

Is "Intolerable" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Intolerable" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Intolerable"?

"Intolerable" is pronounced /(ˌ)in-ˈtä-lə-rə-bəl/ and divided into syllables as in·tol·er·a·ble.

What is the origin of the word "Intolerable"?

"Intolerable" comes from Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin intolerabilis, from in- + tolerabilis tolerable. First known use: 15th century.