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

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

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

The lowest portions of Water Street between Princess and Orange Streets may become impassable. —Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 21 Aug. 2025

Officials warned the road – known to flood even during seasonal high tides – could be impassable for days. —Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2025

While Erin will remain off coast, officials in North Carolina said the storm could create coastal flooding that could make some roads impassable for days. —Josh Feldman, NBC news, 19 Aug. 2025

Portions of Interstate 43, Highway 100, Highway 175, Brewers Boulevard (State 175) and the Canal Street area in Milwaukee County were all impassable as recently as 1 p.m. Aug. 10. —Jack Albright, jsonline.com, 11 Aug. 2025

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