intolerant

comparative more intolerant · superlative most intolerant

1. Unable or indisposed to tolerate, endure or bear.First known use 1733
2. oftenpostpositionalmedicineUnable to digest food or be given substances of a certain composition without adverse effects.First known use the 20th c.

   Near-synonym: allergic

   5 more examples

   I am intolerant of lactose, so I can't drink milk

   I am lactose-intolerant, so I can't drink milk.

   When our bodies no longer create the enzyme needed to break down lactose, we can become intolerant to it.

   2013, Sarah Taylor, Vegetarian to Vegan: Give Up Dairy, Give Up Eggs for Good

   The oak, as is well known, is a slow-growing, dicotyledonous tree of peculiar spreading habit, and very intolerant of shade.

   1892, Harry Marshall Ward, The Oak: A Popular Introduction to Forest-botany

   The powers of human bodies being limited and intolerant of excesses.

   1751, John Arbuthnot, An Essay Concerning the Effects of Air on Human Bodies

   Synonyms: allergic

3. Not tolerant; close-minded about new or different ideas; indisposed to tolerate contrary opinions or beliefs; impatient of dissent or opposition; denying or refusing the right of private opinion or choice in others; inclined to persecute or suppress dissent.First known use 1765

   Whilſt Congregationaliſts in England were complaining of the intolerant ſpirit of Epiſcopalians there

   1769, A collection of original papers relative to the History of the colony of Maſſachusets-bay, Boston, New England: Thomas and John Fleet, page 399

   1 more example

   They ſhewed their intolerant ſpirit by demanding a ſtrict execution of the penal laws againſt Catholics

   1778, Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2nd edition, volume II, Edinburgh, page 1406

   Synonyms: bigoted

plural intolerants

1. One who is intolerant; a bigot.

   […] a portion of the prejudice which darkened the spirits of these intolerants, might perhaps have cast its shadow over him.

   1856, John David Chambers, Strictures, legal and historical, on the judgment of the Consistory Court of London, in December, 1855, in the Case of Westerton Versus Liddell