impassible

1 of 2

adjective (1)

im·​pas·​si·​ble (ˌ)im-ˈpa-sə-bəl 

1

a

: incapable of suffering or of experiencing pain

b

: inaccessible to injury

2

: incapable of feeling : impassive

impassibility

(ˌ)im-ˌpa-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

impassibly

(ˌ)im-ˈpa-sə-blē 

adverb

impassible

2 of 2

adjective (2)

im·​pas·​si·​ble

less common spelling of impassable

: incapable of being passed, traveled, crossed, or surmounted

Synonyms

Adjective (1)

• affectless
• apathetic
• cold-blooded
• emotionless
• impassive
• numb
• passionless
• phlegmatic
• stoic
• stoical
• stolid
• undemonstrative
• unemotional

Examples of impassible in a Sentence

Adjective (1)

years of living behind bars had rendered him impassible

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Back in 2022, when the Lerner family tried to do just that, the media dispute proved an impassible roadblock, Sportico previously reported. —Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 3 Sep. 2019

The set-up has grown increasingly hostile over time, and became an impassible roadblock when the Lerner family tried to sell the Nationals back in 2022. —Scott Soshnick, Sportico.com, 4 Mar. 2025

Sunset Boulevard at Palisades Drive was also reportedly impassible, with firefighters potentially using the thoroughfare as a firebreak. —Denise Petski, Deadline, 4 Feb. 2025

In three Alabama counties, officials warned that all roads are impassible. —Kenton Gewecke, ABC News, 21 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective (1)

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

First Known Use

Adjective (1)

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

Rhymes for impassible

• passable
• impassable
• irascible
• unsurpassable