intolerable suffering

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "intolerable suffering" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing extreme pain or distress that cannot be endured. Example: "The documentary highlighted the intolerable suffering experienced by victims of war."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

The defence is known as "necessity", meaning it was necessary for the doctor to act to stop intolerable suffering.

BBC

A unanimous Supreme Court of Canada ruling in February gave the federal government one year to craft a Canadian law that would allow physician-assisted suicide in cases involving an adult Canadian with a "grievous and irremediable medical condition" that causes "enduring" and "intolerable" suffering.

Los Angeles Times

Only terminally ill Victorian residents over the age of 18 and are living with "intolerable suffering".

The Guardian

There was an unchallenged assumption that MND (and MS) would lead to intolerable suffering and indignity.

The Guardian - Opinion

There is no military solution; only political dialogue will rescue the Syrian people from their intolerable suffering.

The Guardian

"In Holland, Belgium and Switzerland, it's [based on] intolerable suffering – you don't have to be expecting to be dead in six months.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

But for human beings, he argued, what is really intolerable is not suffering itself, but senseless suffering.

The Guardian - Opinion

Terminal sedation is an accepted practice among palliative care clinicians to relieve intolerable symptoms of suffering experienced by dying patients.

The New York Times

At all times music and theatre: to help civilians suffering intolerable hunger and war or the violence of occupation".

The Guardian - Music

The overall downward trajectory stands in defiance of claims that young people are suffering intolerable levels of stress from the pressures of modern life.

Independent

In a court filing, the inmates' lawyers have argued that the schedule, along with other dangerous aspects of the planned executions, create "a substantial and objectively intolerable risk of suffering and harm" to the inmates in other words, they believe the plan to be cruel and unusual, and therefore unconstitutional.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "intolerable suffering" when you want to emphasize the unbearable nature of pain or distress, especially in contexts related to end-of-life care, human rights, or social justice issues.

Common error

Avoid using "intolerable suffering" to describe everyday discomfort or minor inconveniences. This phrase is best reserved for situations involving extreme pain, distress, or hardship to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intolerable suffering" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. As Ludwig AI shows, the expression frequently appears in discussions of palliative care, human rights, and ethical considerations regarding end-of-life decisions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "intolerable suffering" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression that describes extreme and unbearable pain or distress. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is frequently encountered in contexts related to medical ethics, human rights, and end-of-life care. The phrase's usage spans from neutral news reports to more formal scientific discussions. While alternatives like "unbearable pain" or "excruciating agony" exist, "intolerable suffering" effectively conveys the severity of the experience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unbearable pain

Focuses specifically on the physical sensation of pain, implying it cannot be endured.

unendurable distress

Emphasizes the emotional and mental anguish, highlighting its severity.

excruciating agony

Highlights a more intense level of pain or suffering.

insufferable torment

Implies a prolonged and agonizing experience.

extreme hardship

Focuses on the difficulties and challenges faced, implying a state of great suffering.

severe affliction

Emphasizes a cause of prolonged suffering or distress.

acute misery

Highlights the intensity and sharpness of the unhappiness.

inescapable anguish

Focuses on the feeling of deep sorrow, pain, or worry and its unavoidable nature.

overwhelming pain

Emphasizes that the pain or suffering is so great as to be difficult to cope with.

unrelenting agony

Highlights the continuous nature of pain, without any breaks.

FAQs

How can I use "intolerable suffering" in a sentence?

The phrase "intolerable suffering" is generally used to describe situations of extreme physical or emotional pain that are difficult or impossible to bear. For example: "The new law aims to alleviate the "intolerable suffering" of terminally ill patients."

What are some alternatives to "intolerable suffering"?

Alternatives include "unbearable pain", "unendurable distress", or "excruciating agony", depending on the specific context.

What kind of suffering qualifies as "intolerable"?

The determination of what constitutes "intolerable suffering" is often subjective and depends on individual circumstances, but typically involves pain or distress that cannot be effectively managed or relieved, leading to a diminished quality of life.

In what contexts is "intolerable suffering" most often used?

"Intolerable suffering" is frequently used in discussions about medical ethics, end-of-life care, human rights violations, and situations involving severe physical or psychological trauma.