insurmountable

adjective

in·​sur·​mount·​able ˌin(t)-sər-ˈmau̇n-tə-bəl How to pronounce insurmountable (audio)
: incapable of being surmounted : insuperable
insurmountable problems
insurmountably adverb

Examples of insurmountable in a Sentence

They were faced with several insurmountable obstacles. the familiar story of the underdog who ultimately triumphs despite insurmountable odds
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Dončić fouled out of a must-have Game 3 with 4:12 remaining as the Celtics took an insurmountable 3-0 lead. C. Clark, D. Aldridge, S. Amick, F. Katz, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025 Cinematographer Carmen Cabana makes a simple kitchen feel like an insurmountable tower, as the camera careens above Natalia trying to figure out how to make sense of the world she’s been dropped into. Barry Levitt, Time, 9 Apr. 2025 The crisis of trust in journalism is not insurmountable. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025 The crisis of trust in journalism is not insurmountable. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for insurmountable

Word History

First Known Use

1690, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of insurmountable was in 1690

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Cite this Entry

“Insurmountable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insurmountable. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

insurmountable

adjective
in·​sur·​mount·​able ˌin(t)-sər-ˈmau̇nt-ə-bəl How to pronounce insurmountable (audio)
: incapable of being surmounted

More from Merriam-Webster on insurmountable

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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