impassable

adjective

im·​pass·​able (ˌ)im-ˈpa-sə-bəl How to pronounce impassable (audio)
variants or less commonly impassible
Synonyms of impassablenext
: 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.
Conditions were treacherous and the roads were impassable. Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026 Many streets were covered in snow and impassable like Lantern Lane where Ridgeway lives. Paul Burton, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026 Some sidewalks are impassable for people with disabilities There was plenty more work left to do. Kimberlee Kruesi, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026 Jeff Peters, spokesperson for the Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York, described parts of the city as impassable islands. ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026 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

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Cite this Entry

“Impassable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impassable. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.

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

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