Intolerable In A Sentence

Unpacking "Intolerable": When Enough Is Enough

Imagine a world where every minor inconvenience feels like a crushing weight, where a single grain of sand throws the entire castle into disarray. This, in essence, captures the feeling conveyed by the word "intolerable." It's more than just unpleasant; it's a declaration that something has crossed a definitive line, exceeding the limits of what can be endured. Understanding how to use "intolerable" effectively in a sentence requires a deep dive into its nuanced meaning and grammatical applications. This article will guide you through the intricacies of this powerful word, offering clear explanations, real-life examples, and addressing frequently asked questions.

1. Defining "Intolerable" and Its Roots

The word "intolerable" originates from the Latin roots "in-" (not) and "tolerare" (to bear or endure). Therefore, at its core, "intolerable" means "unbearable," "unendurable," or "impossible to tolerate." This signifies a level of unpleasantness, difficulty, or hardship that surpasses one's capacity to accept or withstand. It's a subjective term, meaning what's intolerable for one person might be perfectly acceptable for another. This subjectivity is crucial to understanding its proper usage. The intensity of the word implies a significant negative impact, demanding immediate attention or action.

2. Grammatical Function and Usage

"Intolerable" functions primarily as an adjective. This means it modifies or describes a noun, adding detail and providing information about its quality. It can describe a wide range of things, from physical sensations to social situations, abstract concepts, and even people's behavior.

Examples:

Describing a physical sensation: "The heat was intolerable; we had to find shade immediately." (Here, "intolerable" describes the intensity of the heat.)
Describing a social situation: "The constant noise and crowding made the concert an intolerable experience." (Here, "intolerable" describes the negative quality of the experience.)
Describing a situation or condition: "The level of poverty and inequality in the region is intolerable and demands immediate action." (Here, "intolerable" describes the severity of the social issue.)
Describing a person's behavior: "Her arrogance and rudeness were intolerable; we decided to end the relationship." (Here, "intolerable" describes the unacceptable nature of her behavior.)

It's important to note that "intolerable" typically carries a strong negative connotation. It's not a word you'd use to describe something pleasant.

3. Synonyms and Related Words

While "intolerable" is unique in its intensity, several words convey similar meanings, though with varying degrees of strength: unbearable, insufferable, unendurable, insupportable, excruciating, unbearable, unacceptable. Choosing the right word depends on the context and the specific nuance you wish to convey. "Unbearable" is a close synonym, often interchangeable, but "insufferable" implies a more irritating and annoying quality, while "excruciating" focuses on intense pain or suffering.

4. Real-life Applications and Contextual Examples

The application of "intolerable" is far-reaching. Consider these examples:

Workplace: "The workplace harassment was intolerable, leading to a formal complaint." This highlights the severity of the situation and the need for intervention.
Medical Context: "The pain following the surgery was intolerable, requiring stronger pain medication." This focuses on the intensity of physical suffering.
Political Discourse: "The ongoing violence and human rights abuses are intolerable and must be addressed by the international community." This illustrates the use in discussions about serious global issues.
Personal Relationships: "The constant criticism and lack of support became intolerable, leading to the decision to separate." This shows how the word can describe emotional distress in personal relationships.

5. Avoiding Overuse and Maintaining Nuance

Because "intolerable" is a strong word, overuse can diminish its impact. Reserve it for situations where the level of unpleasantness truly exceeds what can be endured. Using it too frequently can make your writing sound hyperbolic and less credible. Consider whether a less intense word might be more appropriate in certain contexts.

Reflective Summary

The word "intolerable" signifies a level of unpleasantness, hardship, or difficulty that transcends mere discomfort. It's a powerful adjective used to describe situations, conditions, behaviors, and sensations that are beyond acceptable limits. Its grammatical function is straightforward, yet its effective use requires careful consideration of context and nuance. Understanding its Latin roots and exploring its synonyms helps in choosing the most precise and impactful word for any given situation. Remember that the subjective nature of "intolerable" demands sensitivity to individual experiences and perspectives.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can "intolerable" be used with abstract nouns? Yes, it can describe abstract concepts like injustice, inequality, or boredom. For example: "The injustice of the situation was intolerable."

2. Is "intolerable" always negative? Yes, "intolerable" always carries a strongly negative connotation. It never describes something positive or pleasant.

3. What's the difference between "intolerable" and "unbearable"? They are very close synonyms, often interchangeable. However, "intolerable" might subtly suggest a greater sense of urgency or the need for immediate action.

4. Can "intolerable" be used in formal writing? Yes, it's perfectly acceptable and even preferred in formal writing when the situation warrants such a strong word.

5. How can I avoid overusing "intolerable"? Be mindful of the intensity of the word. Consider using milder synonyms if the situation doesn't require such a strong expression. Examine the context carefully before choosing this word.

Search Results:

Intolerable in a sentence | 99+ Example sentences - Sentence … Examples of how to use the word intolerable in a sentence. Definitions, synonyms and translations are also available.

INTOLERABLE - Learn the Meaning, Synonyms & Translations If you describe something as intolerable, you mean that it is so bad or extreme that no one can bear it or tolerate it. They felt this would put intolerable pressure on them. Human rights abuses by any party are intolerable.

Intolerable In A Sentence - Rephrasely Intolerable in a Sentence: Unbearable Circumstances That Test Our Patience. Introduction. Intolerance is an unfortunate aspect of human nature that can manifest itself in various forms. From personal dislikes to societal prejudices, intolerance often leads to …

Examples of "Intolerable" in a Sentence | YourDictionary.com Learn how to use "intolerable" in a sentence with 122 example sentences on YourDictionary.

Use intolerable in a sentence | The best 200 intolerable sentence ... How to use intolerable in a sentence. Example sentences with the word intolerable. The most voted sentence example for intolerable is Life for some researchers has beco...

Intolerable in a sentence (esp. good sentence like quote, proverb...) 122+6 sentence examples: 1. Like many national parks, Acadia in the summer has become crowded and intolerable. 2. To lose love through death is hard but understandable; to lose love and not understand why is intolerable. 3. What made it difficult and

How to use "be intolerable" in a sentence - English examples Meaning of "be intolerable" be intolerable describes a situation that is unbearable or impossible to endure How to use "be intolerable" in a sentence

INTOLERABLE - Definition & Translations | Collins English … If you describe something as intolerable, you mean that it is so bad or extreme that no one can bear it.

Example sentences for intolerable Here below you will find several sentences that illustrate how to use the word intolerable in a sentence. Cabin and pressure-suit temperatures were high but not intolerable . The allegations of scandal created an intolerable situation for Jackson.

Examples of 'INTOLERABLE' in a Sentence - Merriam-Webster 8 May 2017 · 'Intolerable' in a sentence: She divorced him on the grounds of intolerable cruelty.

Sentence examples with intolerable - collocations.diqt.one 191 examples of Intolerable in a sentence It just becomes intolerable. Proust is trying to show us that jealousy feels intolerable and makes us look absurd, but it is, at its crux, a quest for knowledge, a quest for truth, painful truth, and actually, where Proust is concerned, the more painful the truth, the better.

INTOLERABLE - Meaning & Translations | Collins English Dictionary 7 Mar 2025 · If you describe something as intolerable, you mean that it is so bad or extreme that no one can bear it.

intolerable * | English examples in context | Ludwig High quality example sentences with “intolerable *” in context from reliable sources - Ludwig is the linguistic search engine that helps you to write better in English

Intolerable in a Sentence | Top ranking contextual examples … Usage of intolerable in real sentences. First example: That would be intolerable under normal circumstances, but strikes us as justified now.

Examples of 'intolerable' in a sentence - Collins Online Dictionary They felt this would put intolerable pressure on them. Human rights abuses by any party are intolerable. These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content that does not reflect the opinions or policies of Collins, or its parent company HarperCollins.

Use intolerable in a sentence | K12 English Language Arts 67 example sentences for INTOLERABLE, such as: 1. The manager is intolerant of fools. 2. But the awful lonesomeness is intolerable. 3. The constant pain made her life intolerable. 4. His companions seemed ever to play intolerable parts. 5. He held her lips against his for an intolerable time.

Intolerable in a sentence - TranslateEN.com 30 Jul 2019 · Meaning: Unable to be endured; often used to describe extreme discomfort or annoyance. - The noise from the party was intolerable. - It is intolerable to be treated unfairly. - The heat today is intolerable for me. - Her attitude was intolerable during the meeting. - The waiting time was intolerable for everyone.

30 Example Sentences Using 'INTOLERABLE' - WordDB.com Check out our example sentences below to help you understand the context. "The heat was intolerable inside the car." "Her boss's behavior was truly intolerable." "The pain was so intolerable that she couldn't sleep at night." "The noise from the construction work was unbearable and intolerable."

Intolerable in a sentence (esp. good sentence like quote, proverb...) 27 Mar 2017 · Meaning: [ɪn'tɑlərəbl /-'tɒl-] adj. incapable of being put up with. 1. The constant pain made her life intolerable. 2. 'This is intolerable!' exclaimed Sir Rufus. 3. The situation has become intolerable. 4. His illness placed an intolerable burden on his family. 5. They felt this would put intolerable pressure on them. 6.

Intolerable in a Sentence Definition of Intolerable. not able to be tolerated. Examples of Intolerable in a sentence. If I have to spend another second talking to that intolerable woman, I’m going to scream! 🔊. Do not leave your dog outside in this intolerable heat. 🔊. Because Karen’s boss has an intolerable personality, she is currently looking for a new job ...