French Conversation · Level 91
60 words
French word
insupportable
Pronunciation
IPA/ɛ̃sypɔʁtabl/
Meaning
- adjectiveunbearable
Example
Cette chaleur est insupportable aujourd'hui.
This heat is unbearable today.
More examples
Son comportement est insupportable.
His behavior is unbearable.
Core concept
A burden or irritation pushed beyond the limit of tolerance.
Common phrases
une douleur insupportable
unbearable pain
une chaleur insupportable
unbearable heat
un bruit insupportable
unbearable noise
Similar words
intolérable: Extremely unpleasant and beyond what can reasonably be tolerated.
insoutenable: Producing continuing physical or mental suffering that is unbearable.
pénible: Hard to bear and burdensome, causing distress.
Definition in French
Se dit d'une chose ou d'une personne qui cause une gêne ou une souffrance qu'on ne peut tolérer.
Word origin
French insupportable combines the negative prefix in- with supportable, from Latin supportare through French supporter.
Usage tips
- Insupportable applies to both things and people, but describing a person as insupportable sounds strongly critical.
Other meanings
- unacceptableadjective
- annoyingadjective
Opposites
- supportablebearableadjective
- tolérabletolerableadjective
Related words
- insupportablementunbearablyadverb
- insupportabilitéunbearablenessnoun