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 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 The thought of failure was intolerable. — Will Jeanes, New York Times, 20 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
  • Nicole says that as an adult, her brother faced unbearable tragedy when one of his children died.
    — Edie Peffley, NBC news, 5 Aug. 2026
  • To this day, the putrid, offensive odor coming from the tens of millions of pounds of rotting food in the warehouse is unbearable for families.
    — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of unbearable
Adjective
  • San Francisco police officers would then proceed to smash the driver's window, drag the driver out and pepper-spray him — actions that a San Francisco Department of Police Accountability (DPA) report states were excessive.
    — Jose Fabian, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Even as the busy restaurant bar reaches blatantly excessive noise levels even before Ninh’s fully done with his equipment, neighboring businesses are already having their patience tested.
    — Josh Slater-Williams, IndieWire, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of excessive
Adjective
  • To an outsider, and in isolation, some of these habits may not seem so extreme—Reddit peptides excepted.
    — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 8 Aug. 2026
  • North of the border, in British Columbia, hundreds more homes were lost this week, and 15,000 people are currently under evacuation, with extreme fire weather conditions predicted to worsen in the coming days.
    — John Vaillant, Time, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of extreme
Adjective
  • And their friendship, a folie à deux spiral of insane ideas powered by ungodly quantities of pot, becomes akin to a superpower.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026
  • These mega facilities are popping up everywhere which means lots of people are spending insane money instead of pulling out the hose and bucket.
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of insane
Adjective
  • Officials said Sunday that fire activity had prevented them from quickly reaching the area amid steep, rough terrain.
    — Jamie Stengle, Chicago Tribune, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Nugraha said difficult terrain has complicated efforts, with some hotspots located on steep volcanic slopes that are difficult to reach by land.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of steep
Adjective
  • Arendt comes most fully alive, though, when Meyer lets her own extravagant, commanding voice carry the story forward.
    — David Denby, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Ric Flair is known for his flamboyant promos and extravagant pro wrestling career that included several world championship runs across multiple promotions at his peak.
    — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of extravagant

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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 14 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on intolerable

Nglish: Translation of intolerable for Spanish Speakers

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