1. Too objectionable or annoying to be endured with equanimity or patience.
1586. Sidney, Lett. to Walsingham, 14 Aug. We are now four monethes behynd [with pay], a thing unsupportable in this place.
1654. Nicholas Papers (Camden), II. 91. Indeed D. Gloucesters carriage to all persons is unsupportable.
1679. South, Serm. (1697), I. 130. A disgrace put upon a man in company is unsupportable.
1710. Addison, Tatler, No. 221, ¶ 4. A passionate Woman … is one of the most unsupportable Creatures in the World.
1792. Burke, Lett. to Langrishe, Wks. 1842, I. 558. The unsupportable mortification of asking his neighbours … for their votes.
b. Too oppressive or distressing to be endured; unendurable, intolerable.
1602. Sir R. Wilbraham, Jrnl. (1902), 50. Tyme and treasure, the wast wherof is unsupportable.
1644. Milton, Divorce (ed. 2), A 3 b. As well may he … redeem himself from unsupportable disturbance, to honest peace.
1750. G. Hughes, Barbados, 17. This hardship is not so unsupportable to them.
1788. Clara Reeve, Exiles, II. 215. This thought was unsupportable; it led to despair.
1801. Charlotte Smith, Lett. Solit. Wand., II. 243. The most unsupportable of all her distresses.
1832. Brewster, Nat. Magic, xii. 309. A heat … unsupportable by the spectators.
1885. Fargus, Slings & Arrows, 140. Had he by word or gesture shown that the constant presence of the man who had done his best to kill him was unsupportable.
2. That cannot be supported by physical strength.
1688. Holme, Armoury, III. 312/2. Goalers … when they meet with sturdy and unruly Prisoners, to Lock and Chain them to some strong Post, or unsupportable Block.
3. Not admitting of support or defence; indefensible.
1710. Sir J. St. Leger, Managers Pro & Con, 21. To support that unsupportable Sense of the Homilies, the Doctor produces the concurrent Opinions of many Learned Fathers.
1777. Burke’s Corr. (1844), II. 191. The unsupportable claim of this country to the right of taxing America without reserve.
Hence Unsupportableness; -ably adv.
1664. H. More, Myst. Iniq., Pref. 4. To be affected, nay deeply and unsupportably afflicted.
1672. Wilkins, Nat. Relig., II. vii. 386. ’Tis the unsupportableness of this, that many times doth cause men … to chuse … death rather than life.
a. 1697. South, Serm. (1715), II. 177. His Conscience … assures him, that he shall be infinitely, unsupportably miserable, if he does it.
