insurmountable
UK: ˌɪnsəˈmaʊntəbl | US: ˌɪnsərˈmaʊntəbl
adj. impossible to overcome or surpass
adj. too great or difficult to be dealt with
insurmountable = in<not> + surmount<overcome> + able<capable of>
- in (prefix): From Latin "in-," meaning "not" or "opposite of."
- surmount: From Old French "surmonter," combining "sur-" (over) + "monter" (to climb), ultimately from Latin "super" (over) + "montare" (to climb).
- able (suffix): From Latin "-abilis," indicating capability or susceptibility.
Etymology Origin:
The word "insurmountable" traces back to Latin and Old French roots. The prefix "in-" negates the verb "surmount," which originally meant "to climb over." Over time, "surmount" evolved to mean "to overcome," and the suffix "-able" was added to form an adjective meaning "capable of being overcome." The negation "in-" flips the meaning to "incapable of being overcome," reflecting a barrier or challenge too great to conquer.
The mountain's steep cliffs seemed insurmountable to the novice climbers.
Despite their efforts, the team faced insurmountable financial difficulties.
Her determination turned an insurmountable problem into a solvable one.
The language barrier felt insurmountable at first, but practice made it easier.
No obstacle is truly insurmountable with the right mindset and resources.