intolerable

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An intolerable situation or thing is one that's extremely difficult to put up with. It's often so bad that people want it to end quickly.

When we say something is "intolerable", we usually mean that it's unbearable for most people, like extreme heat, a noisy environment, or a very difficult task. Imagine you're stuck in a crowded and hot room with no air conditioning – that could be an intolerable situation! We also use this word when someone is being very unpleasant or annoying, like a loud neighbor who won't stop making noise. In these cases, the thing or person causing trouble is so bad that it's hard to handle.

How common is "intolerable"?

Word intolerable is considered rare in modern English.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.
Definitions

adjective

  • Not tolerable; not capable of being borne or endured.

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Real examples of "intolerable" in context

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