insuperable

Insuperable is an adjective that describes something that cannot be overcome or defeated. It is typically applied to obstacles, difficulties, or barriers that seem insurmountable, and it is often used in formal or literary contexts. Common collocations include insuperable obstacle, insuperable difficulty, and insuperable odds.

The word derives from Latin insuperabilis, formed from in- meaning “not” and superare meaning “to overcome,” with the suffix -bilis meaning “able to be.” In English, insuperable is largely synonymous with insurmountable, though insuperable is usually less common today and can carry a slightly more literary tone.

Usage notes and context: insuperable is used to emphasize the perceived impossibility of overcoming a challenge. It can describe physical barriers, theoretical problems, or moral or emotional struggles. While the two terms are often interchangeable, insuperable may sound more old-fashioned or elevated, whereas insurmountable is more widely used in contemporary writing.

See also: insurmountable, insuperability, insuperable difficulty.