1
as in dense
impossible to get through or into
the ancient temple was surrounded by vast stretches of impenetrable jungle
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2
as in mysterious
being beyond one's powers to know, understand, or explain
the mysteries of that religion are completely impenetrable to outsiders
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3
as in incomprehensible
impossible to understand
the textbook's language is completely impenetrable, at least to me
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4
as in tight
not allowing penetration (as by gas, liquid, or light)
the container of toxic waste has an impenetrable seal to prevent leaks
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of impenetrable
Like those two men, Combs' power and influence created an impenetrable cocoon of privilege that, prosecutors will argue, insulated him from repercussions while devastating the lives of men and women who stayed largely silent for fear of his reach.
—
Marco Della Cava, USA Today, 6 May 2025
That impenetrable wall made Jackson feel safe, and it got broken.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 20 Apr. 2025
There are also many systems to contend with that can be slightly impenetrable for newcomers.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 21 Apr. 2025
Most of those minerals are currently buried beneath thick sheets of previously impenetrable ice.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impenetrable
Marco Della Cava, USA Today, 6 May 2025
That impenetrable wall made Jackson feel safe, and it got broken.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 20 Apr. 2025
There are also many systems to contend with that can be slightly impenetrable for newcomers.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 21 Apr. 2025
Most of those minerals are currently buried beneath thick sheets of previously impenetrable ice.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impenetrable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impenetrable
Adjective
-
Editor’s picks The world itself is lively, if not exactly dense.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
6 June 2025
-
In Puerto Rico earlier in the week, the cloud was dense and caused hazy skies, according to the National Weather Service in San Juan.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
5 June 2025
Adjective
-
Four thousand years ago, however, Crete was also a crossroads dominated by a mysterious and largely still poorly understood Bronze Age culture that predated classical Greece.—
Bruce Dorminey,
Forbes.com,
7 June 2025
-
The movie is led by Tom Hiddleston as the titular, mysterious Chuck Krantz, with a supporting cast that includes Mark Hamill, Mia Sara, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Karen Gillan, Matthew Lillard, Annalise Basso and Kate Siegel.—
Jen Juneau,
People.com,
6 June 2025
Adjective
-
What was over the hill was unknown and what went on behind a nation's borders was incomprehensible.—
David Szondy
May 31,
New Atlas,
31 May 2025
-
How he was even charged as a result of this situation is incomprehensible.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
22 May 2025
Adjective
-
Trump’s new team, new strategy With Leo sidelined, Trump’s judicial nominations are now being shaped by a tighter circle of aides and outside activists.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
3 June 2025
-
The Black family is among those at two of Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s largest high schools, Ardrey Kell and Myers Park, facing tight guest limits at graduation ceremonies this year due to a venue change from the Spectrum Center to the smaller Bojangles Coliseum.—
Nora O’Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
3 June 2025
Adjective
-
Its thick plastic outer casing is impervious to flex.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
28 May 2025
-
British travelers, however, are largely impervious to currency fluctuations.—
Monica Pitrelli,
CNBC,
13 May 2025
Adjective
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On Thursday, May 29, the 20-year-old shared a cryptic message on Instagram Stories.—
Catherine Santino,
People.com,
30 May 2025
-
Before Tessitore and Barrett could finish arguing, the screen cut out to a cryptic promo from Uncle Howdy, who teased coming after the Tag Team Titles.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Adjective
-
In a life-or-death emergency, voice signals might fade or be unintelligible; Morse code could punch through static and bad weather.—
Laurie Gwen Shapiro,
New Yorker,
2 June 2025
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Decisions once made by human engineers in the future are now being executed by models whose internal logic may be unintelligible even to their creators.—
Anuj Tyagi,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
Adjective
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In her papers, there were thick scrapbooks of Christmas cards, many from fellow-celebrities—Berg clearly adored Christmas.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
9 June 2025
-
Jane is heard asking the male escort to wear a condom, but is interrupted by Combs, whose voice appears thick and slurred, as music pulsed in the background.—
Cheyenne Roundtree,
Rolling Stone,
8 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Impenetrable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impenetrable. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.
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