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.
The driveway for Bower Apartments becomes inundated with several feet of water, and is likely impassable. Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 13 May 2025 But the innkeepers reached her with news of impassable roads and mayhem. Barbara Kingsolver, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 2025 Then Hurricane Helene devastated the southwestern part of the state and wreaked havoc on the Blue Ridge Parkway, destroying people's homes and rendering roads impassable. Sabrina Moreno, Axios, 7 Apr. 2025 For nearly six decades after World War II, they were separated by an impassable physical barrier—a museum documents the ingenious ways people smuggled blue jeans, laundry detergent and pornography—which was dismantled only in 2004, when Slovenia joined the European Union. Ann Abel, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 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 10 Jun. 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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