impassible

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adjective im·pas·si·ble \ (ˌ)im-ˈpa-sə-bəl \

Definition of impassible

1 a :incapable of suffering or of experiencing pain

b :inaccessible to injury

2 :incapable of feeling :impassive

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impassibility

play \(ˌ)im-ˌpa-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

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impassibly

play \(ˌ)im-ˈpa-sə-blē\ adverb

Recent Examples of impassible from the Web

Underwater vegetation gets tangled in the propellers of motorboats, so an overgrowth of weeds makes the lake impassible for motorized watercraft.

— janice steinhagen, Courant Community, "New Group Formed To Fight Pachaug Pond Weeds," 20 July 2017
Earthen or gravel roads become muddy and impassible after being hit with heavy rain, snowfall or strong winds, causing students to be late for school when buses get stuck.

— clarice silber, The Seattle Times, "Report: Poor roads on tribal lands lead to school absences," 22 May 2017
Federal meteorologists said creeks and streams are quickly flooding and roads may soon become impassible.

— usa today network, USA TODAY, "Multiple fatalities reported as floods, tornadoes hit Midwest, Texas," 30 Apr. 2017
Highway 17 travel, increased beach traffic and gridlock in Los Gatos, daily accidents and traffic delays, and now storm damage with falling trees, landslides, total extended blockage and impassible alternate roads.

— mercury news readers, The Mercury News, "Feb. 22 Letters: Resurrect the Los Gatos-Santa Cruz train," 21 Feb. 2017
Communications in Grand-Anse have been knocked out, and roads in the area remain impassible, according to the Associated Press.

— andrew mcconnell, National Geographic, "Pictures Reveal Hurricane Matthew's Destruction in Haiti," 6 Oct. 2016

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.

Origin and Etymology of impassible

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

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impassible

adjective im·pas·si·ble

Less common spelling of impassable

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

Recent Examples of impassible from the Web

Underwater vegetation gets tangled in the propellers of motorboats, so an overgrowth of weeds makes the lake impassible for motorized watercraft.

— janice steinhagen, Courant Community, "New Group Formed To Fight Pachaug Pond Weeds," 20 July 2017
Earthen or gravel roads become muddy and impassible after being hit with heavy rain, snowfall or strong winds, causing students to be late for school when buses get stuck.

— clarice silber, The Seattle Times, "Report: Poor roads on tribal lands lead to school absences," 22 May 2017
Federal meteorologists said creeks and streams are quickly flooding and roads may soon become impassible.

— usa today network, USA TODAY, "Multiple fatalities reported as floods, tornadoes hit Midwest, Texas," 30 Apr. 2017
Highway 17 travel, increased beach traffic and gridlock in Los Gatos, daily accidents and traffic delays, and now storm damage with falling trees, landslides, total extended blockage and impassible alternate roads.

— mercury news readers, The Mercury News, "Feb. 22 Letters: Resurrect the Los Gatos-Santa Cruz train," 21 Feb. 2017
Communications in Grand-Anse have been knocked out, and roads in the area remain impassible, according to the Associated Press.

— andrew mcconnell, National Geographic, "Pictures Reveal Hurricane Matthew's Destruction in Haiti," 6 Oct. 2016

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impassible

Definition of impassible

impassibility

impassibly

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Origin and Etymology of impassible

impassible

Less common spelling of impassable

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impassible

Definition of impassible

impassibility

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