intolerable
Beyond all patience
Intolerable describes something so unpleasant, painful, or offensive that it cannot be endured: The heat became intolerable by midday.
The word implies reaching a threshold—what might be merely unpleasant crosses into what cannot be borne: intolerable cruelty, intolerable working conditions.
Something intolerable demands action or escape.
Impossible to endure
- unendurableImpossible to bear
- insupportableCannot be borne
- excruciatingCausing extreme suffering
- agonizingIntensely painful or distressing
insufferable · impossible · oppressive · torturous · grueling · painful · distressing · punishing
Impossible to put up with
- irritatingCausing mild frustration
- exasperatingIntensely irritating
- maddeningCausing extreme frustration
- infuriatingCausing extreme anger
aggravating · grating · vexing · bothersome · tiresome · unbearable · obnoxious · unpleasant
Causing displeasure or attack-oriented
- repugnantExtremely distasteful or offensive
- abhorrentCausing intense revulsion
- disgustingProvoking strong revulsion
- obnoxiousExtremely disagreeable in manner
repulsive · revolting · loathsome · vile · despicable · contemptible · odious · hateful
Not meeting required standards
- impermissibleNot permitted by rules
- inadmissibleNot allowed as evidence
- prohibitedOfficially not permitted
- tabooCultural or social prohibition
beyond the pale · out of bounds · unconscionable · unjustifiable · indefensible · inexcusable · wrongful · illegitimate
Furthest from moderate
- excessiveSurpassing reasonable bounds
- overwhelmingIntensely excessive in force
- unmanageableImpossible to control
- uncontrollableImpossible to restrain
inordinate · unreasonable · disproportionate · immoderate · unconscionable · undue · oppressive · crushing
unbearable
Impossible to endure
- unendurableImpossible to bear
- insupportableCannot be borne
- excruciatingCausing extreme suffering
agonizing · insufferable · impossible · oppressive · torturous · grueling · painful · distressing · punishing · merciless
insufferable
Impossible to put up with
- irritatingCausing mild frustration
- exasperatingIntensely irritating
- maddeningCausing extreme frustration
infuriating · aggravating · grating · vexing · bothersome · tiresome · unbearable · obnoxious · unpleasant · disagreeable
offensive
Causing displeasure or attack-oriented
- repugnantExtremely distasteful or offensive
- abhorrentCausing intense revulsion
- disgustingProvoking strong revulsion
obnoxious · repulsive · revolting · loathsome · vile · despicable · contemptible · odious · hateful · objectionable
unacceptable
Not meeting required standards
- impermissibleNot permitted by rules
- inadmissibleNot allowed as evidence
- prohibitedOfficially not permitted
taboo · beyond the pale · out of bounds · unconscionable · unjustifiable · indefensible · inexcusable · wrongful · illegitimate
extreme
Furthest from moderate
- excessiveSurpassing reasonable bounds
- overwhelmingIntensely excessive in force
- unmanageableImpossible to control
uncontrollable · inordinate · unreasonable · disproportionate · immoderate · unconscionable · undue · oppressive · crushing · stifling
- Danger Levelsdanger, high risk, high-risk, low risk, critical
- unacceptableunacceptable, inappropriate, improper, wrong, forbidden
- Last Strawslast straw, fed up, breaking point, no more, tipping point
- oppressivestifling, suffocating, smothering, crushing, repressive
- toxicity levelstoxic, nontoxic, lethal, safe, hazardous
- disgustdisgust, disgusting, disgusted, revulsion, repulsion
intolerabletolerable
Able to be endured
bearable · endurable · sufferable · supportable · sustainable
intolerableacceptable
Meeting minimum standards
allowable · admissible · permissible · reasonable · satisfactory
intolerablecomfortable
Physically at ease
pleasant · agreeable · enjoyable · delightful · congenial
- Intolerable ActsPunitive British colonial laws