im·pass·able
(ˌ)im-ˈpa-sə-bəl 
variants
or less commonly impassible
: incapable of being passed, traveled, crossed, or surmounted
: the quality or state of being impassable
stopped by the complete impassability of the road
Examples of impassable in a Sentence
Adjective
The roads were made impassable by the flood.
the road was impassable until snowplows cleared it
Recent Examples on the Web
Natassia Paloma, USA Today, 15 June 2026
The battle did not go well for us, for the British expertly flanked the Continental Army, captured our withdrawal route and trapped the bulk of our army with its back against the Gowanus marsh, which was considered impassable.
—Paul Callahan, Baltimore Sun, 14 June 2026
The Strait carries roughly a fifth of the world’s oil, and remains largely impassable.
—Garrett Downs, CNBC, 31 May 2026
Fire safety regulations have long required multifamily buildings to contain two or more staircases so that residents can exit their homes safely if one staircase is impassable because of smoke or other reasons.
—Alex Schwartz, The Conversation, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for impassable
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Adjective
Floodwaters in Waco left roads on Interstate 35 impassable and stranded drivers in their vehicles, prompting numerous search-and-rescue responses early Monday, June 15, Texas Game Wardens said.
—Natassia Paloma, USA Today, 15 June 2026
The battle did not go well for us, for the British expertly flanked the Continental Army, captured our withdrawal route and trapped the bulk of our army with its back against the Gowanus marsh, which was considered impassable.
—Paul Callahan, Baltimore Sun, 14 June 2026
The Strait carries roughly a fifth of the world’s oil, and remains largely impassable.
—Garrett Downs, CNBC, 31 May 2026
Fire safety regulations have long required multifamily buildings to contain two or more staircases so that residents can exit their homes safely if one staircase is impassable because of smoke or other reasons.
—Alex Schwartz, The Conversation, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for impassable
Cite this Entry
“Impassable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impassable. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
impassable
adjective
im·pass·able
(ˈ)im-ˈpas-ə-bəl
: impossible to pass, cross, or travel over
roads made impassable by the hurricane
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