impassable

adjective

im·​pass·​able (ˌ)im-ˈpa-sə-bəl How to pronounce impassable (audio)
variants or less commonly impassible
: incapable of being passed, traveled, crossed, or surmounted
impassability noun
impassableness noun
impassably adverb

Examples of impassable in a Sentence

The roads were made impassable by the flood. the road was impassable until snowplows cleared it
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Heavy snow and high winds could lead to whiteout conditions, making roads impassable in some areas, the NWS has warned. Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025 The fleeing bear apparently had come to the foot of one of those vertical lava cliffs that make the walls of these canyons straight-sided and impassable in places. Frank C. Hibben, Outdoor Life, 13 Feb. 2025 If there’s been a hard rain, stay home, as many roads will be impassable due to flooding. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 Feb. 2025 In the race to get to safety on Tuesday, roadways became impassable when scores of people abandoned their vehicles and fled on foot, some toting suitcases. Matthew Knight, Tony Kurzweil, The Hill, 8 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for impassable

Word History

First Known Use

1562, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of impassable was in 1562

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Impassable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impassable. Accessed 5 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

impassable

adjective
im·​pass·​able (ˈ)im-ˈpas-ə-bəl How to pronounce impassable (audio)
: impossible to pass, cross, or travel over
roads made impassable by the hurricane
impassability noun

More from Merriam-Webster on impassable

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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