impassable

adjective

im·​pass·​able (ˌ)im-ˈpa-sə-bəl 

variants or less commonly impassible

: incapable of being passed, traveled, crossed, or surmounted

impassability

(ˌ)im-ˌpa-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

impassableness

(ˌ)im-ˈpa-sə-bəl-nəs 

noun

impassably

(ˌ)im-ˈpa-sə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms of impassable

• dense
• close
• impervious
• impenetrable
• impermeable
• impregnable
• frozen
• thick

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

Officials on Saturday morning said the Gilman Trail is impassable and closed near the Edgelawn Avenue east trailhead due to flooding. — Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 4 July 2026

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

Word History

First Known Use

1562, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for impassable

• passable
• impassible
• irascible
• unsurpassable

Kids Definition

impassable

adjective

im·​pass·​able (ˈ)im-ˈpas-ə-bəl 

: impossible to pass, cross, or travel over

roads made impassable by the hurricane

impassability

(ˌ)im-ˌpas-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun