insuperable

adjective

in·​su·​per·​a·​ble (ˌ)in-ˈsü-p(ə-)rə-bəl 

: incapable of being surmounted, overcome, passed over, or solved

insuperable difficulties

insuperably

(ˌ)in-ˈsü-p(ə-)rə-blē 

adverb

Did you know?

Insuperable is a super word: that is, it belongs to a family of English terms that come from the Latin word super, meaning "over." It first appeared in print in the 14th century, and as a close synonym of insurmountable, it still essentially means what it did then. Insuperable comes directly from the Latin word insuperabilis, which was formed by combining the negative prefix in- with the verb superare (which comes from super and means "to surmount, overcome, or excel") and the adjective abilis (meaning "able"). Hence, insuperabilis means "unable to be surmounted, overcome, or passed over," or more simply, "insurmountable." The word can describe physical barriers that cannot be scaled (such as walls or mountains) as well as more figurative obstacles.

Synonyms

• bulletproof
• impregnable
• indomitable
• insurmountable
• invincible
• invulnerable
• unbeatable
• unconquerable
• unstoppable

Examples of insuperable in a Sentence

the building project ran into insuperable financial difficulties and had to be scrapped

insuperable problems have arisen which make it very unlikely that we will ever finish this project

Recent Examples on the Web

Television’s tendency to play down to the masses — manipulating our individual needs for attention, for agreement, or simply to win — is an insuperable problem at this particular, shameless moment in pop culture. —Armond White, National Review, 16 Oct. 2024

Powerful forces were arrayed against him, including Carter himself, but Lewis’s opposition was implacable, though not insuperable. —Kelefa Sanneh, The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2024

Ten months on, Angel conceded that the political differences between them had become insuperable. —Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 9 Sep. 2024

Or that Harris’ fundraising advantages over any potential rival were already insuperable. —Bret Stephens, The Mercury News, 25 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin insuperabilis, from in- + superare to surmount, from super over — more at over

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

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Kids Definition

insuperable

adjective

in·​su·​per·​a·​ble (ˈ)in-ˈsü-p(ə-)rə-bəl 

: impossible to overcome

insuperable difficulties

insuperably

-blē 

adverb