insurmountable

adjective

in·​sur·​mount·​able ˌin(t)-sər-ˈmau̇n-tə-bəl 

: incapable of being surmounted : insuperable

insurmountable problems

insurmountably

ˌin(t)-sər-ˈmau̇n-tə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms

• bulletproof
• impregnable
• indomitable
• insuperable
• invincible
• invulnerable
• unbeatable
• unconquerable
• unstoppable

Examples of insurmountable in a Sentence

They were faced with several insurmountable obstacles.

the familiar story of the underdog who ultimately triumphs despite insurmountable odds

Recent Examples on the Web

Dončić fouled out of a must-have Game 3 with 4:12 remaining as the Celtics took an insurmountable 3-0 lead. —C. Clark, D. Aldridge, S. Amick, F. Katz, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025

Cinematographer Carmen Cabana makes a simple kitchen feel like an insurmountable tower, as the camera careens above Natalia trying to figure out how to make sense of the world she’s been dropped into. —Barry Levitt, Time, 9 Apr. 2025

The crisis of trust in journalism is not insurmountable. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025

The crisis of trust in journalism is not insurmountable. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1690, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for insurmountable

• accountable
• demountable
• uncountable
• countable
• unaccountable

Kids Definition

insurmountable

adjective

in·​sur·​mount·​able ˌin(t)-sər-ˈmau̇nt-ə-bəl 

: incapable of being surmounted