intolerable - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
intolerable Word Meanings
- not able to be endured
- unbearable; impossible to tolerate
intolerable Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
intolerable Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ɪnˈtɒl.ər.ə.bəl/
US
/ɪnˈtɑː.lɚ.ə.bəl/
intolerable Word Etymology
(a) in- (not) + tolerable (able to be endured); (b) From Latin 'intollerabilis' → Old French 'intolérable' → English; (c) Imagine a person struggling to endure loud music at a party, where they can no longer bear the sound—this represents something intolerable.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputReal Context
Intolerable describes something so unpleasant that it cannot be endured. In everyday English, people use it for situations, conditions, or treatments that push tolerance past its limit, such as extreme noise, heat, humiliation, or injustice. It often contrasts with tolerable, bearable, or acceptable, highlighting a clear boundary of what one will not accept. The word carries a strong, subjective judgment rather than an objective measure, and it tends to appear in formal criticism or emotional statements: 'The living conditions became intolerable, forcing the residents to protest.' Collocations include intolerable pain, intolerable behavior, and intolerable delays.
Usage Reminders
- 1) Use intolerable for strong, subjective judgments. 2) Pair with pain, delays, or behavior to show boundaries. 3) Distinguish from unbearable in intensity but note subtle moral/ethical nuance. 4) Prefer in formal criticism or emphatic speech. 5) Check collocations: intolerable pain, intolerable delay, intolerable conduct.
Common Misconceptions
- Confusing intolerable with merely annoying or inconvenient situations
- Using intolerable for mild discomfort
- Thinking it describes numerical thresholds rather than personal feelings
- Mistaking it for tolerant or tolerance in moral contexts
- Overusing in casual conversation
Thinking Differences
For English learners, intolerable carries a strong, personal threshold sense. It emphasizes how much a person would not tolerate, often in moral or emotional contexts. Learners sometimes treat it as a synonym of 'very bad' and apply it too broadly; remember it targets a boundary you personally refuse to cross.
Learning Tips
- Compare with unbearable to notice the difference in intensity
- Use with concrete nouns like pain, delay, or conduct
- Practice with real-life complaints to feel the strength
- Learn related synonyms: insufferable, intolerant (adj) vs tolerance
- Notice collocations: intolerable pain, intolerable delays, intolerable behavior
- Aim for precise tone in writing essays or reviews
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What does the word 'intolerable' mean?
A.Unbearable or not acceptable
B.Flexible and adaptable
C.Pleasant and agreeable
D.Mild and manageable
Step 2: Usage
Choose the correct usage of the word 'intolerable' in a sentence.
A.The weather is intolerable this weekend, so I will stay inside.
B.She found the noise intolerable and could not concentrate.
C.His intolerable attitude made everyone laugh.
D.The food was intolerable, and everyone enjoyed it.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is most similar to 'intolerable'?
A.Acceptable
B.Comfortable
C.Unbearable
D.Enjoyable
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of 'intolerable'?
A.Awful
B.Tolerable
C.Harsh
D.Painful
Step 5: Mastery
Can you think of a real-life scenario where someone might find something to be intolerable?
A.A child finds the rules of the game too complex to understand.
B.The noise from the construction outside was so disruptive that it became unbearable during the meeting.
C.Someone enjoys spicy food at a restaurant without any issues.
D.A student finds the homework assignments easy and enjoyable.
Related Listening
🌱 Lite (Beginner)
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