Vocabulary Builder: Insuperable

Long Definition:

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) – Cite This Source – Share This

in·su·per·a·ble /?n?su p?r?b?l / Pronunciation Key – Show Spelled Pronunciation[in-soo-per-uh-buh l] Pronunciation Key – Show IPA Pronunciation

–adjective

incapable of being passed over, overcome, or surmounted: an insuperable barrier.

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[Origin: 1300–50; ME < L insuper?bilis. See in-³, superable ]

—Related forms

in·su·per·a·bil·i·ty, in·su·per·a·ble·ness, noun

in·su·per·a·bly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

The etymology section above is a bit lacking. In- means not, and -super means over or surmountable, so insuperable literally means not surmountable.

Short Definition: Can’t get over

Sentences:
It’s usually used to describe odds, difficulties, or obstacles.
Her poor grades so far this semester have become an insuperable obstacle to her goal of getting a 4.0.
Against insuperable odds, the child was able to escape the burning building.

Mnemonic:
Inca>soup>pear>can’t get over – I picture an Inca man high in the Andes Mountains, perhaps in Macchu Picchu, sitting next to a gigantic gray stone wall. He’s eating an enormous bowl of steaming hot soup with big green pears floating in it. He takes several slurping sips and then tries to scale the stone wall. He scrabbles and he scrambles, but he can’t get over it.