adjective
intolerable
in-TAH-ler-uh-bul/ɪnˈtɑːlərəbl/
Too unpleasant or painful to endure.
The intolerable drilling drives the woman from her café seat with her drink unfinished.
Etymology
Tolerare meant both “bear” and “endure”; with the capability ending and negative in-, the word means “cannot be borne.” It describes unpleasantness or severity beyond someone's capacity to endure.
In context
I could not endure my wife or children in my presence the very smell of them was intolerable
More examples
- The constant construction noise becomes intolerable by noon.
- Without shade, the afternoon heat feels intolerable.
- Workers quit because the long shifts and low pay are intolerable.
Forms
intolerable
intolerably adverb — To a degree that cannot be endured.
Similar words
- unbearable
- Closely matches intolerable, especially for pain or emotional distress.
- insufferable
- Usually describes extremely annoying people, attitudes, or behavior.