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

If enough satellites are in orbit, this debris could set off a chain reaction, rendering the environment around Earth practically impassable. —Big Think, 15 Oct. 2025

Several private roads were impassable Monday due to Vallecito Creek and Grimes Creek flooding over the banks. —Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 13 Oct. 2025

The tide could be a foot higher than the point where major flooding begins that can produce severe damage to homes and businesses, making some roads impassable and isolating neighborhoods. —Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 11 Oct. 2025

Portions of Highway 12 may be impassable at times due to ocean overwash, especially around times of high tide. —Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 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