unbearable

adjective

un·​bear·​able ˌən-ˈber-ə-bəl 

: not bearable : unendurable

unbearable pain

unbearably

ˌən-ˈber-ə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms of unbearable

• intolerable
• intense
• extreme
• overwhelming
• unendurable
• terrible
• insufferable
• unacceptable
• harsh
• painful

Examples of unbearable in a Sentence

We were in an almost unbearable state of excitement.

this heat is unbearable—when are we going to get air-conditioning?

Recent Examples on the Web

Our lawsuit argues that the President doesn’t have the power to impose these tariffs, which create an unnecessary and possibly unbearable financial burden for independent companies like ours to bear. —Ori Zohar, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Mar. 2026

Downtown residents have been complaining to the city commission that the traffic and noise are unbearable and want the volume turned down. —Steve Maugeri, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026

We’ve been dealt a nigh-unbearable hand when two of our communities were utterly savaged by fire. —Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026

Its research also found that workers had few safety guidelines and even less legal recourse when conditions became unbearable. —Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 26 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unbearable

• arable
• bearable
• parable
• terrible
• wearable
• repairable

Kids Definition

unbearable

adjective

un·​bear·​able ˌən-ˈbar-ə-bəl 

ˈən-, 

-ˈber-

: greater than can be borne

unbearable pain

unbearably

-blē 

adverb