insufferable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "insufferable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is extremely annoying or difficult to tolerate. Example: "His insufferable arrogance made it hard for anyone to enjoy the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If it's the latter, however, it's either another show of hand from Columbus GM Scott Howson, showing, as he did after not trading Nash, that he's capable of a bit of bitterness, or it's a sign that all that chatter about Jeff Carter being a bit insufferable might have some truth to it.

The Guardian - Sport

By July 2009, the Interior Ministry had increased security at all checkpoints across the Tigris river into Baghdad, making a commute at any time of day even more insufferable than normal.

The Guardian

Finland, one of the insufferable overachievers of the education world, is now phasing out handwriting classes in favour of keyboard skills.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Creatives" from Braunschweig and Hannover came up with this insufferable monstrosity, a "let's all get along" video ahead of the Lower Saxony derby.

The Guardian - Sport

Last night, on a heavy pitch which cut up badly and with Cole still ill-attuned to his new surroundings, Manchester United needed Cantona at his best, not his insufferable worst.

The Guardian - Sport

To take an admittedly trivial example, I always thought John McEnroe was an insufferable man-child.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mr Ornstein's music was of "insufferable hideousness", according to one critic.

The Economist

The flat tone is at once sincere and disingenuous: Ms Heti's deadpan, naked voice is what makes Sheila's journey so engaging.In this section How the weak vanquish the strong Stay focused Forty years on Charmingly insufferable Games of perception The self stripped ReprintsMs Heti also captures the malaise of young, creative types.

The Economist

But for Mr Kapetanovic and his friends the impasse is an insufferable check on their ambitions.In June Croatia received a green light to join the EU in 2013.

The Economist

He (it is always a he) is particularly unlovable: selfish in the extreme, able to do sums in his head and an insufferable know-all.

The Economist

Bill Bennett said: "In all my time in Washington I've never seen such smugness, arrogance or such insufferable moral superiority".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "insufferable", ensure that the context clearly conveys the reason for the extreme annoyance or difficulty something causes. Avoid using it lightly or without justification to maintain impact.

Common error

While "insufferable" is a strong adjective, avoid using it excessively in casual conversation. Reserve it for situations where the level of annoyance or difficulty is genuinely high to prevent diluting its impact.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "insufferable" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something or someone extremely difficult to tolerate. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in various contexts, such as describing a person's qualities or a situation's unpleasantness. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Encyclopedias

14%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Science

8%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Insufferable" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adjective to describe something or someone extremely difficult to tolerate. As verified by Ludwig, it carries a strong negative connotation and is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though mindful application in casual conversation is recommended to maintain its impact. While alternatives such as "unbearable" and "intolerable" exist, "insufferable" is a potent descriptor across news, encyclopedias, and business contexts, as evidenced by its prevalence in authoritative sources. Use it judiciously to express genuine annoyance or difficulty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unbearable

Indicates something that cannot be endured, similar to "insufferable" but focuses more on the level of distress caused.

intolerable

Highlights the inability to accept or tolerate something, closely mirroring the meaning of "insufferable".

unendurable

Suggests a situation or person that cannot be put up with, very close in meaning to "insufferable".

excruciating

Emphasizes the intensely painful or distressing nature of something, making it difficult to bear, like "insufferable".

offensive

Focuses on the causing of hurt feelings, anger, or annoyance. "Insufferable" may have this implication as well.

obnoxious

Describes someone or something highly disagreeable or unpleasant, sharing a similar negative connotation with "insufferable".

abominable

Implies something extremely unpleasant or of very poor quality, similar to the negative judgment in "insufferable".

detestable

Conveys a strong feeling of dislike or hatred, aligning with the negative sentiment of "insufferable".

repulsive

Indicates something causing intense distaste or disgust, similar to the strong negative reaction associated with "insufferable".

irritating

Refers to something that causes annoyance or frustration, a milder form of the distress implied by "insufferable".

FAQs

How do you use "insufferable" in a sentence?

You can use "insufferable" to describe someone or something extremely annoying or difficult to tolerate. For example: "His "insufferable arrogance" made it hard for anyone to work with him."

What can I say instead of "insufferable"?

You can use alternatives like "unbearable", "intolerable", or "obnoxious" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "insufferable" and "irritating"?

"Insufferable" describes something that is extremely difficult to bear or tolerate, while "irritating" refers to something that causes annoyance or frustration. "Insufferable" suggests a higher degree of negativity.

Is it appropriate to use "insufferable" in formal writing?

Yes, "insufferable" is appropriate for formal writing when you need to express a strong sense of annoyance or difficulty caused by someone or something. Ensure the context warrants such a strong term.