insurmountable

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "insurmountable" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective that means something is so difficult that it cannot be overcome or defeated. You can use it in any written context when referring to a hurdle or challenge that is difficult to overcome. Example: The task of getting the project finished by the end of the week seemed insurmountable.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In announcing the planned closure of the 114-year-old school in early March, Sweet Briar leaders described the reason as "insurmountable financial challenges".

The Guardian

In an astonishing display of power-hitting he scored 24 runs off a single over from Panesar and guided the Australians to 527 for five declared, setting England an insurmountable 557 to win.

The Guardian - Sport

Indeed, he jokes that he is making the same film over and over again, each one the story of one character's triumph against "insurmountable odds".

The Guardian - Film

"Whilst it is acknowledged that Robyn Daodu is pregnant this does not constitute an insurmountable obstacle to family life continuing in your client's country of origin," said the letter, seen by the Guardian.

The Guardian

In adulthood steering a malfunctioning relationship towards new horizons can feel like an insurmountable challenge.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The practical hurdles might prove insurmountable, it might change the character of the game too much or it might rob the referee of his authority.

The Guardian - Sport

Another exercise will loosen up our dialogue muscles and show that these problems are not insurmountable.

The Guardian

Even if the party spends another five years trying to work out what its objection to the Conservative party actually is, I believe Shah will use her membership as she has used her political activism in the past: to prove that nothing is insurmountable.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If we accept her in part because she fits into our understanding of the gender binary, then we're celebrating not just her transition but her economic privilege and her allegiance to a beauty standard that, for non-trans, cisgender women, may mean being more desired or liked, but for trans women is often an insurmountable barrier to being considered women at all.

The Guardian - Opinion

It presents a challenge, but not an insurmountable one.

The Guardian

The government's decision to relax ownership rules on domestic airlines in September—permitting stakes of up to 49% to be held overseas went some way to piquing interest in the sector, but reform will be hard.For James Hogan, Etihad's chief executive, such obstacles are neither insurmountable nor, necessarily, bad news.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "insurmountable", ensure the context clearly establishes what specific obstacle or challenge is being described as impossible to overcome. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "insurmountable" when the challenge is merely difficult or requires significant effort. Overusing the term diminishes its impact, reserving it for situations truly deemed impossible to overcome maintains its power.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "insurmountable" primarily functions as an attributive adjective, modifying nouns to describe challenges, obstacles, or difficulties that appear impossible to overcome. Ludwig AI confirms its standard usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "insurmountable" accurately describes challenges that seem impossible to overcome. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts. Its primary function is to emphasize the perceived impossibility of a challenge, commonly used in news, business and scientific writing. When writing, be mindful of the scale of the challenge, reserving "insurmountable" for situations that truly appear impossible. Alternatives include "insuperable" and "unconquerable".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insuperable

More formal and direct synonym, emphasizing the impossibility of overcoming.

unconquerable

Highlights the inability to be defeated or subdued.

unbeatable

Focuses on the impossibility of winning against something.

impossible to overcome

Explicitly states the inability to surpass or conquer.

beyond reach

Emphasizes that something is unattainable or inaccessible.

hopeless

Implies a lack of hope for success or resolution.

out of the question

Indicates that something is not a viable option or possibility.

unachievable

Stresses the impossibility of attaining a certain goal or outcome.

unattainable

Similar to unachievable, highlighting the inability to obtain something.

formidable

Emphasizes the challenge presented as being intimidating and difficult to overcome, although not necessarily impossible.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "insurmountable" in a sentence?

Use "insurmountable" to describe challenges that seem impossible to overcome. For example, "The financial obstacles seemed "insurmountable" at the time".

What are some alternatives to using "insurmountable"?

You can use alternatives like "insuperable", "unconquerable", or "impossible to overcome" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "insurmountable" and "formidable"?

"Insurmountable" means impossible to overcome, while "formidable" suggests a challenge that is difficult but not necessarily impossible to overcome.

Is it correct to say something is "almost insurmountable"?

Yes, saying something is "almost insurmountable" is acceptable and implies that the challenge is extremely difficult, nearly impossible, but with a slight possibility of being overcome.