Intolerable
/ɪnˈtɑːlərəbəl/
adjectiveC1
Definition
Intolerable describes a situation, feeling, or condition that is too difficult, painful, or unpleasant to accept or live with. It means the problem or experience is beyond what a person can handle or endure.
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See It in Action
Too bad or painful to accept or endure
- •The heat in the room was intolerable, so we opened the windows.
- •His behavior became intolerable, and people stopped talking to him.
- •The noise from the construction was intolerable during the night.
Impossible to tolerate because of strong discomfort or difficulty
- •The pain after the injury was intolerable without medicine.
- •Living in such intolerable conditions made her very unhappy.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "intolerable" like "bad" (A1 word), but MUCH stronger—it is not just bad, it is something you cannot accept or live with
- ✓Picture a very loud noise that hurts your ears so much you have to leave the room immediately
- ✓It's the feeling when a headache is so strong that you want to stop everything and rest
- ✓Sounds like "in-TOL-er-able" → imagine someone saying "I CAN'T TOLERATE this anymore!"
- ✓Think of stories where a character faces a terrible problem that they just cannot take any longer and must change something fast
- ✓NOT like "uncomfortable" (a little unpleasant but bearable), "intolerable" means you cannot stand it at all
- ✓NOT like "tolerable" (something you can accept), "intolerable" means the opposite—you cannot accept it
- ✓NOT like "annoying" (small problem), "intolerable" is a big problem that causes strong negative feelings
Try Other Words
- •Unbearable: too difficult or painful to accept or handle (Use when emphasizing physical or emotional pain)
- •Insufferable: very unpleasant or annoying (Use when the focus is on something causing strong discomfort or irritation)
- •Unacceptable: not allowed or not good enough to accept (Use when talking about rules or behavior that cannot be accepted)
- •Intolerant: unwilling to accept different opinions or behaviors (Use when describing people, not situations)
Unboxing
- •Prefix: "in-" meaning "not"
- •Root: "tolerable" meaning "able to be tolerated (accepted or endured)"
- •Etymology: From Latin "intolerabilis," meaning "not able to be endured"
- •Historical development: Used since the 1600s to describe things too difficult or painful to accept
- •Modern usage: Describes situations, feelings, or conditions that are too bad to accept or live with
Reflect & Connect
•Can something be too intolerable for some people but not for others? Why do you think that happens?
•How do you handle situations that feel intolerable? What helps you to cope or change them?
Fill in the blanks
1.The noise was intolerable ___ the workers had to stop and take a break.
2.She found the cold weather intolerable ___ she wore many layers of clothes.
3.Unlike small problems, intolerable situations make people want to ___ immediately.
4.When behavior becomes intolerable, people usually ___ their feelings or leave.
5.Intolerable pain often requires ___ or medical help to manage.
6.The heat was so intolerable that everyone ___ outside for fresh air.
7.Intolerable means you cannot ___ or accept the problem any longer.