bearable

adjective

bear·​able ˈber-ə-bəl How to pronounce bearable (audio)
: capable of being borne
bearability noun
bearably adverb

Examples of bearable in a Sentence

He's in a great deal of pain, but the medication makes it bearable. the pain from a sprained ankle is annoying but bearable
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.
The ultra-comfy skirt is made with an elastic waistband and crafted from stretchy, breathable fabric that makes the summer heat far more bearable, and it’s made with dual slits that won’t restrict your range of motion while facilitating air flow with every step. Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 9 July 2025 Even if loneliness persists, these supports can make a painful situation more bearable. Sophie Okolo, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025 With flowy and airy fits, versatile styles, and lengths perfect for layering, now’s the time to stock up on seasonal staples that’ll make the heat wave more bearable (and fashionable!). Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 July 2025 Just like Google's Hold for Me feature, Apple has a Hold Assist function that makes staying on hold more bearable. Julian Chokkattu, Wired News, 10 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for bearable

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1557, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bearable was circa 1557

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bearable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bearable. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

bearable

adjective
bear·​able ˈbar-ə-bəl How to pronounce bearable (audio)
ˈber-
: possible to bear

More from Merriam-Webster on bearable

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!