interminable

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "interminable" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective which means something that never seems to end, or lasts a very long time. For example, "The interminable wait in line left us exhausted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"No sugar!" people shout, as you waddle off to make another interminable cup of tea for them.

The Guardian - Opinion

So the interminable Raheem Sterling rumours are back with us, then.

The Guardian - Sport

Several weeks later – including mulitiple interminable bus rides and an unplanned stay in the hospital for salmonella Doherty-Bonene retorned thethe UK with a piece of unusual baggage: Lake Oku clawed frogs.

The Guardian

Who knows, by being in this together, and with renewed striving, we might get yet closer to the dream of lovely cupcakes, swimming pools in excavated basements, personal-number-plated Mitsuboyan 4X4 SS Landbruisers, large sofas with forward recliners, box sets of interminable foreign crime programmes and surveillance for all.

The Guardian - Opinion

And so on, through the interminable rituals of legalistic nyah-nyahing, group dominance struggles, and occasional violence that comprise elementary-school playground life.

The Economist

He deployed these talents each Sunday on "Aló Presidente", his interminable talk show.

The Economist

With it comes a vogue for interminable breast-feeding, "co-sleeping" (taking the little dears to bed with you) and endless parental attention.

The Economist

Activists honed their media skills in the interminable campaign against top-up fees, but kept being outfoxed by politicians who portrayed them as middle-class whiners.The anti-war movement initially seemed to be going the same way, after the war in Afghanistan failed to rouse popular opinion (and then proved disappointingly short and undisastrous).

The Economist

He has also promised a new anti-terror law in place of Egypt's interminable "emergency" laws, which most often have been used to clamp down on Islamists, moderate as well as militant.

The Economist

Gone is the interminable waiting around for the late-night rants of Fidel Castro: punctuality is one of the hallmarks of the government led since 2006 by his younger brother, Raúl.

The Economist

Both applications involved lengthy reviews, which culminated in interminable public hearings.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "interminable" to describe situations or events that seem to last an excessively long time, often to the point of being tedious or frustrating. It adds emphasis to the perceived length of the experience.

Common error

Avoid using "interminable" when you simply mean something is long. "Interminable" carries a connotation of wearisome length, not just duration.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "interminable" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns, describing them as seemingly endless or excessively prolonged. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and usable word.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "interminable" functions as an adjective used to describe something that seems to last forever, often to the point of being tedious. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability. As shown by Ludwig, it is very commonly used, particularly in "News & Media". While synonyms like "never-ending" and "endless" exist, "interminable" specifically conveys a sense of wearisome length. It's crucial to use "interminable" when you want to emphasize not just the length of something but also the frustration and tedium it causes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

never-ending

Focuses on the absence of an end, highlighting the continuous nature.

endless

Emphasizes the lack of limits or boundaries in time or extent.

unceasing

Highlights the continuous and uninterrupted nature of something.

protracted

Implies that something is deliberately extended or prolonged.

drawn-out

Suggests that something has been unnecessarily lengthened.

everlasting

Conveys a sense of permanence and infinite duration.

incessant

Highlights the repetitive and continuous nature of something, often in an annoying way.

unremitting

Implies that something is relentless and does not stop.

perpetual

Suggests something that continues indefinitely or is constantly renewed.

abiding

Implies a lasting and enduring quality.

FAQs

How to use "interminable" in a sentence?

You can use "interminable" to describe something that seems to last forever, such as "The lecture felt interminable" or "The wait was interminable".

What can I say instead of "interminable"?

You can use alternatives like "never-ending", "endless", or "protracted" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "interminable" to describe a short period?

No, "interminable" is used to describe something that seems to last for an excessively long time, so it would not be appropriate for a short period.

What is the difference between "interminable" and "long"?

"Long" simply refers to duration, while "interminable" implies that something is so long that it becomes tedious or unbearable. The wait was long, but the legal battle was "interminable".