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unbearably

A2
adverb

Pronunciation

UK

  • /ʌnbˈeərəbli/

US

  • /ənˈbɛrəbli/

Description

If something is unbearably hot, cold, sad, boring, or frustrating, it is so strong or severe that you can hardly stand it. Imagine a summer day when the heat is not just high, but so strong that you need to get into the shade right away.

The word shows that something has gone past your comfort limit. It is often used for unpleasant physical feelings, emotions, or situations. A room can be unbearably hot, waiting can feel unbearably slow, and a loss can feel unbearably sad. It is usually used for negative things, though it can sometimes describe feelings that are simply too intense to bear.

Examples

  1. 1

    Physical discomfort

    By midday, the classroom was unbearably hot.

  2. 2

    Exam time

    The last few minutes of the exam felt unbearably long.

  3. 3

    Social awkwardness

    After he forgot her name, dinner became unbearably awkward.

  4. 4

    Emotional emptiness

    For weeks after the breakup, the apartment felt unbearably empty.

  5. 5

    Repetition

    His jokes were funny at first, but after an hour they became unbearably repetitive.

Forms and spellings

1 form open this card.

Main spelling

  • unbearablyadverb