What does surmountable mean?
Surmountable is an adjective describing a problem, obstacle, or difficulty that can be overcome. It conveys that a challenge is significant but manageable, especially when the right knowledge, effort, resources, or support is available. The word is common in formal and professional contexts, where it often appears in phrases such as surmountable challenges, surmountable obstacles, and surmountable problems. It is related to the verb surmount, meaning to overcome or get over something. A surmountable difficulty differs from an insurmountable one because it permits a solution; it does not imply that the difficulty is easy. Although the word can also refer literally to an obstacle that can be climbed or crossed, its modern use is primarily metaphorical, expressing confidence that a difficult situation can be resolved.
Able to be overcome, dealt with, or successfully resolved.
"The team remained confident that the technical difficulties were surmountable."
Common in formal and professional English, especially with challenges, obstacles, problems, and difficulties.
Able to be climbed or passed over, especially in a physical sense.
"The climbers concluded that the icy wall was surmountable with careful equipment and good timing."
This literal sense is less common than the metaphorical sense for obstacles and difficulties.
Surmountable means the challenge is big, but it is not bigger than your ability to face it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does surmountable come from?
Surmountable was formed in English with the suffix -able, meaning “able to be,” from surmount, “to overcome or get over.” The verb comes through French from Latin roots meaning “to mount over” or “go above,” while the adjective also follows the Latin form surmontabilis. The related word insurmountable was formed similarly with the negative prefix in-.
Related word forms
How surmountable is actually used
Usually formal and mildly encouraging. It is most natural with obstacles, challenges, problems, difficulties, and fears, rather than with people or abstract qualities.
Easily confused with surmountable
A surmountable problem can be overcome, whereas an insurmountable problem is too great or difficult to overcome.