impossible
adjective
im·pos·si·ble
(ˌ)im-ˈpä-sə-bəl 
1
a
: incapable of being or of occurring
b
: felt to be incapable of being done, attained, or fulfilled : insuperably difficult
an impossible deadline
2
a
: extremely undesirable : unacceptable
b
: extremely awkward or difficult to deal with
the actor was impossible on the set
impossibleness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of impossible in a Sentence
It's impossible to predict the future.
The heavy rain made it impossible to see the road.
It's physically impossible for a child to lift that much at once.
It's virtually impossible to book a flight just before the holiday.
These math problems are impossible!
You refuse to help and then criticize me for not doing it right? You're impossible!
My boss is just an impossible woman.
Recent Examples on the Web
Ever since the first Zionists began to conceive of a Jewish homeland in Palestine in the late nineteenth century, Jewish leaders and their Arab counterparts have understood that an all-encompassing settlement between them was likely impossible.
—
Tom Segev, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024
Many experts had said that completing a deal in six months would have been nigh impossible, and that a year is still ambitious.
—Andrew R. Chow, TIME, 22 Apr. 2024
Regarding Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, a two-time league MVP, Ham said the Lakers have a practically impossible task.
—Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2024
Without meticulous scribes and heartfelt writers, exploring the realms of the past and absorbing invaluable wisdom would be impossible.
—Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 21 Apr. 2024
That is a hint to one of the most important lessons of the Wintel saga and beyond: Protecting the incumbent business, even in a time of transition, is almost impossible to resist.
—Bygeoff Colvin, Fortune, 20 Apr. 2024
Trading Couture at this point would be next to impossible for Sharks general manager Mike Grier.
—Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 20 Apr. 2024
But Eva warned that the chances of success were impossible to predict.
—Paresh Dave, WIRED, 19 Apr. 2024
Minnesota legislators and leaders must recognize the dangers of implementing such an extreme piece of legislation — with provisions that are vague, impossible to implement at scale, and would take away a vital resource for numerous state residents while violating their First Amendment rights.
—Jordan Rodell, Twin Cities, 18 Apr. 2024
Tom Segev, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024
Many experts had said that completing a deal in six months would have been nigh impossible, and that a year is still ambitious.
—Andrew R. Chow, TIME, 22 Apr. 2024
Regarding Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, a two-time league MVP, Ham said the Lakers have a practically impossible task.
—Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2024
Without meticulous scribes and heartfelt writers, exploring the realms of the past and absorbing invaluable wisdom would be impossible.
—Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 21 Apr. 2024
That is a hint to one of the most important lessons of the Wintel saga and beyond: Protecting the incumbent business, even in a time of transition, is almost impossible to resist.
—Bygeoff Colvin, Fortune, 20 Apr. 2024
Trading Couture at this point would be next to impossible for Sharks general manager Mike Grier.
—Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 20 Apr. 2024
But Eva warned that the chances of success were impossible to predict.
—Paresh Dave, WIRED, 19 Apr. 2024
Minnesota legislators and leaders must recognize the dangers of implementing such an extreme piece of legislation — with provisions that are vague, impossible to implement at scale, and would take away a vital resource for numerous state residents while violating their First Amendment rights.
—Jordan Rodell, Twin Cities, 18 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'impossible.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near impossible
Cite this Entry
“Impossible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impossible. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
impossible
adjective
im·pos·si·ble
(ˈ)im-ˈpäs-ə-bəl
1
a
: incapable of being or of occurring
b
: very difficult : hopeless
an impossible situation
2
: very bad or unpleasant
an impossible person
impossibly
adverb
-blē
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