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Untenable vs Intolerable - What's the difference?

untenable | intolerable |

As adjectives the difference between untenable and intolerable

is that untenable is not able to be held, as of an opinion or position; unholdable, indefensible while intolerable is not tolerable; not capable of being borne or endured; not proper or right to be allowed; insufferable; insupportable; unbearable.

untenable

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Not able to be held, as of an opinion or position; unholdable, indefensible.
    • The theory of cold fusion was untenable .

    Usage notes

    * Nouns often used with "controversial": argument, doctrine, theory, hypothesis, view, position, notion, etc..

    Antonyms

    * tenable * defensible

    Related terms

    * tenant

    External links

    * * *

    intolerable

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Not tolerable; not capable of being borne or endured; not proper or right to be allowed; insufferable; insupportable; unbearable.
  • Extremely offensive or insulting.
  • * 1971 , William S. Burroughs, The Wild Boys: A Book of the Dead , page 4
    • It is an intolerable sound that sets spoons tinkling in saucers and windowpanes vibrating.

    Usage notes

    * Nouns to which "intolerable" is often applied: cruelty, burden, situation, condition, pain, heat, position, life, state, suffering, evil, risk, insult, hardship, agony, behavior, affront, insolence, stress, consequence, people.

    Derived terms

    * intolerability * intolerableness * intolerably

    References

    * *