insurmountable

insurmountable
insurmountable (adj.) 1690s, from IN- (Cf. in-) (1) "not, opposite of" + surmountable (see SURMOUNT (Cf. surmount)). Related: Insurmountably.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • Insurmountable — In sur*mount a*ble, a. [Pref. in not + surmountable: cf. F. insurmountable.] Incapable of being passed over, surmounted, or overcome; insuperable; as, insurmountable difficulty or obstacle. Locke. [1913 Webster] Hope thinks nothing difficult;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • insurmountable — I adjective beyond one s power, beyond one s reach, beyond the bounds of possibility, formidable, hardly possible, impassable, impenetrable, impossible, impracticable, impregnable, inaccessible, incapable of being done, incapable of being… …   Law dictionary

  • insurmountable — [adj] impossible forget it, hopeless, impassable, impregnable, inaccessible, indomitable, ineluctable, insuperable, invincible, not a prayer*, no way*, no win*, overwhelm ing, unbeatable, unconquerable, unmasterable; concepts 552,565 Ant.… …   New thesaurus

  • insurmountable — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ too great to be overcome. DERIVATIVES insurmountably adverb …   English terms dictionary

  • insurmountable — [in΄sər mount′ə bəl] adj. not surmountable; that cannot be passed over or overcome; insuperable insurmountability n. insurmountably adv …   English World dictionary

  • insurmountable — adj. VERBS ▪ appear, be, prove, seem ▪ The age barrier appeared insurmountable. ▪ become ADVERB ▪ …   Collocations dictionary

  • insurmountable — in|sur|mount|a|ble [ˌınsəˈmauntəbəl US sər ] adj formal an insurmountable difficulty or problem is too large or difficult to deal with ▪ The language difference proved an insurmountable barrier …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • insurmountable — [[t]ɪ̱nsə(r)ma͟ʊntəb(ə)l[/t]] ADJ A problem that is insurmountable is so great that it cannot be dealt with successfully. Philadelphia s fiscal crisis doesn t seem like an insurmountable problem. Syn: insuperable …   English dictionary

  • insurmountable — adjective a difficulty or problem that is insurmountable is too large or too difficult to deal with: The language barrier proved an insurmountable barrier to their relationship …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • insurmountable — adjective Date: 1690 incapable of being surmounted ; insuperable < insurmountable problems > • insurmountably adverb …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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