intolerant

adjective

in·​tol·​er·​ant (ˌ)in-ˈtä-lə-rənt 

-ˈtä--rənt

1

: unable or unwilling to endure

2

a

: unwilling to grant equal freedom of expression especially in religious matters

b

: unwilling to grant or share social, political, or professional rights : bigoted

3

: exhibiting physiological intolerance

lactose intolerant

intolerantly adverb

intolerantness noun

Synonyms

• impatient

Examples of intolerant in a Sentence

intolerant of fools, she is not an easy person to work for

intolerant people who callously deny others the very rights that they take for granted

Recent Examples on the Web

Many people are intolerant to dust mites—not down—which can cause nasal congestion, itchy skin, and other not-so-fun symptoms. —Suzy Forman, SELF, 23 Oct. 2024

For those who are intolerant to dairy products or those who are vegan, almonds are a great source of calcium and phosphorus. —Jeanne Ballion, Vogue, 31 Oct. 2024

But the Soviet system was simply too intolerant of disagreements to leave their loyalties to chance. —Jeremy Friedman, Foreign Affairs, 17 July 2024

Her experiences in a notoriously intolerant industry have led her to transform her own kitchen into a place of vulnerability and growth. —J. Kenji López-Alt, TIME, 2 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1735, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing intolerant

• lactose intolerant

Kids Definition

intolerant

adjective

in·​tol·​er·​ant (ˈ)in-ˈtäl-(ə-)rənt 

1

: unable or unwilling to endure

2

: unwilling to grant equality, freedom, or other social rights

intolerantly adverb

Medical Definition

intolerant

adjective

in·​tol·​er·​ant

(ˈ)in-ˈtäl(-ə)-rənt

: exhibiting physiological intolerance : unable to properly metabolize or absorb a substance

People who are lactose intolerant cannot digest lactose because their small intestines do not produce enough lactase, the enzyme that breaks lactose down …

—Jeffrey Steingarten, Vogue