adj

insufferable

ihn-SUH-fuh-ruhbl

Insufferable (adj) means So unpleasant or annoying that it is almost impossible to put up with. Example: “He became insufferable after winning the award.”

adj

So unpleasant or annoying that it is almost impossible to put up with.

"He became insufferable after winning the award."

"The heat in the office was insufferable by mid-afternoon."

How to use insufferable

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishUnbearable — usually describing an annoying person or an intolerable situation.

Common pairings

insufferable heat insufferable bore utterly insufferable

Word forms

more insufferable comparative, most insufferable superlative

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “insufferable” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

He became _____ after winning the award.

Etymology

From in- ("not") + sufferable ("bearable"), ultimately from Latin sufferre, "to bear or endure."

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for insufferable

able fable cable table viable liable stable tenable parable affable amiable notable

See all rhymes for insufferable →

Frequently asked questions

What does “insufferable” mean?

The word “insufferable” means so unpleasant or annoying that it is almost impossible to put up with. In plain terms, unbearable — usually describing an annoying person or an intolerable situation.

How do you pronounce “insufferable”?

“Insufferable” is pronounced ihn-SUH-fuh-ruhbl (/ɪnˈsʌfəɹəb(ə)l/ in IPA).

How do you use “insufferable” in a sentence?

Here is “insufferable” used in a sentence: “He became insufferable after winning the award.”

What part of speech is “insufferable”?

“Insufferable” is an adjective.

Where does the word “insufferable” come from?

The word “insufferable” comes from Latin. From in- ("not") + sufferable ("bearable"), ultimately from Latin sufferre, "to bear or endure.".