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impassible

adjective (1)
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im·​pas·​si·​ble | \ (ˌ)im-ˈpa-sə-bəl How to pronounce impassible (audio) \

Definition of impassible

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1a : incapable of suffering or of experiencing pain
b : inaccessible to injury
2 : incapable of feeling : impassive

impassible

adjective (2)
im·​pas·​si·​ble

less common spelling of

: incapable of being passed, traveled, crossed, or surmounted
Other Words from impassible Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about impassible

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Other Words from impassible

Adjective (1)

impassibility \ (ˌ)im-​ˌpa-​sə-​ˈbi-​lə-​tē How to pronounce impassibility (audio) \ noun
impassibly \ (ˌ)im-​ˈpa-​sə-​blē How to pronounce impassibly (audio) \ adverb

Examples of impassible in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective City officials said streets were impassible and residents should stay inside. — Michael R. Sisak, chicagotribune.com, "Deadly storm moves cross country taking aim at Northeast," 1 Dec. 2019 City officials said streets were impassible and residents should stay inside. — Michael R. Sisak, Anchorage Daily News, "Deadly storm moves cross country taking aim at Northeast," 2 Dec. 2019 The unusually high winds ripped entire, ancient trees from the ground onto houses, nearby power lines and across roads, causing some damage to neighborhoods and making many morning commute routes impassible. — Amanda Blanco, courant.com, "Power outages from Halloween winds continue to haunt thousands across Connecticut," 1 Nov. 2019 Mobile police are advising that people avoid driving near McFarland Road, Johnson Road South and Bloomington Drive because of downed power lines and impassible roads. — Levi Edwards | Ledwards@al.com, al, "Over 1600 people in Mobile County currently without power, officials say," 26 Oct. 2019 The road from Freeport to the cays to reach survivors was impassible. — Dan Sweeney, sun-sentinel.com, "As a Bahamas school prepares to reopen, a teacher is still on search and rescue," 10 Sep. 2019 About 4,500 people stayed in shelters overnight in North Carolina and more than 70 roads were impassible, Gov. Roy Cooper said. — Sarah Brookbank, Cincinnati.com, "Now that Hurricane Dorian hit the coast, what is it doing to Myrtle Beach, Outer Banks?," 6 Sep. 2019 The Associated Press reports Deputy Steve Dooley said that authorities drove through water that was almost impassible but eventually made it to the house where the family was. — CBS News, ""Life-threatening" flooding threatens Louisiana as Barry moves inland — live updates," 14 July 2019 Winter roads that run east to Ontario are impassible after the spring thaw. — Ian Austen, New York Times, "Teenage Murder Suspects Vanish Into Canada’s Wilderness," 28 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'impassible.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of impassible

Adjective (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for impassible

Adjective (1)

Middle English, from Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French, from Late Latin impassibilis, from Latin in- + Late Latin passibilis passible

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Time Traveler for impassible

Time Traveler

The first known use of impassible was in the 14th century

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Statistics for impassible

Last Updated

15 Feb 2020

Cite this Entry

“Impassible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impassible. Accessed 20 Feb. 2020.

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Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with impassible

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