insurmountable challenge

USAGE SUMMARY

"insurmountable challenge" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a challenge that is seemingly impossible to overcome. For example: "Coming up with a solution to the problem posed an insurmountable challenge."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Decentralisation is an almost insurmountable challenge for public-transport systems.

The Economist

Yet in this very morseling lies the nearly insurmountable challenge.

The New York Times - Books

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

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Some might think it looks like an insurmountable challenge with all the odds stacked against us.

Independent

Then there are those clients whose appearance presents an insurmountable challenge.

The New York Times

Trying to identify all of the bogus claims submitted to Medicare is an insurmountable challenge.

The New York Times

The EU is hurtling towards disintegration, not due to some insurmountable challenge or outside force.

The Guardian

"That would not be an insurmountable challenge," one Bush policy adviser said late Friday.

The New York Times

"We don't think we have any insurmountable challenge on the technology side".

The New York Times

Changing these pre-existing perceptions – justified or otherwise – would be a significant, possibly insurmountable, challenge.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Inviting people to honestly comment or complain is often a challenge but it is not an insurmountable challenge.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience. While widely understood, there might be contexts where simpler alternatives are more effective, such as when communicating with non-native English speakers.

Common error

Avoid using "insurmountable challenge" to describe situations that are merely difficult or require effort. This weakens the impact of the phrase and can make your writing sound hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "insurmountable challenge" functions as a noun phrase, where "insurmountable" is an adjective modifying the noun "challenge". According to Ludwig, it describes a challenge that appears impossible to overcome. It is often used to emphasize the scale and difficulty of a particular obstacle.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "insurmountable challenge" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a challenge that seems impossible to overcome. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous real-world examples demonstrating its usage across diverse contexts, particularly in news media and scientific publications. While the phrase is generally appropriate for formal and neutral registers, it's important to consider alternatives like "insuperable obstacle" or "unachievable goal" to avoid overstatement and maintain clarity. Ultimately, understanding the nuances of "insurmountable challenge" helps refine communication and express the magnitude of obstacles effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insuperable obstacle

Replaces "challenge" with "obstacle", highlighting the hindering nature of the situation; "insuperable" is a direct synonym of "insurmountable".

unconquerable difficulty

Replaces "challenge" with "difficulty", signifying a problem that seems impossible to solve.

insurmountable odds

Focuses on the probability of failing, emphasizing the disadvantageous conditions.

unbeatable barrier

Uses "barrier" to represent the obstacle and indicates that it cannot be overcome.

impossible feat

Emphasizes the accomplishment aspect of the challenge, suggesting it's something that seems unachievable.

herculean task

Emphasizes the immense difficulty and effort required, akin to the labors of Hercules.

mission impossible

An idiomatic expression denoting a task with very low chances of success.

unachievable goal

Shifts focus to the objective and its impossibility of being attained.

hopeless endeavor

Focuses on the likely negative outcome of the attempt.

untenable situation

Indicates a circumstance that cannot be maintained or defended, implying a lack of viable solutions.

FAQs

How to use "insurmountable challenge" in a sentence?

You can use "insurmountable challenge" to describe a problem or task that appears impossible to overcome. For example, "The project faced an "insurmountable challenge" due to lack of funding".

What can I say instead of "insurmountable challenge"?

You can use alternatives like "impossible feat", "insuperable obstacle", or "unachievable goal" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "insurmountable challenge" in formal writing?

Yes, "insurmountable challenge" is appropriate for formal writing. It is widely understood and conveys a strong sense of difficulty or impossibility. However, ensure that the context warrants such a strong term.

What's the difference between "insurmountable challenge" and "formidable challenge"?

"Insurmountable challenge" implies that the challenge is impossible to overcome, while "formidable challenge" simply suggests that the challenge is significant and requires considerable effort to overcome.