IMPASSABLE Synonyms: 38 Similar and Opposite Words

impassable

adjective

(ˌ)im-ˈpa-sə-bəl

variants also impassible

Definition of impassable

as in dense

impossible to get through or into the road was impassable until snowplows cleared it

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of impassable The Strait carries roughly a fifth of the world’s oil, and remains largely impassable. — Garrett Downs, CNBC, 31 May 2026 Fire safety regulations have long required multifamily buildings to contain two or more staircases so that residents can exit their homes safely if one staircase is impassable because of smoke or other reasons. — Alex Schwartz, The Conversation, 29 May 2026 Hikers also must navigate changing tides that can make portions of the trail impassable during high water. — Velvet Wu, Sacbee.com, 26 May 2026 Faced with an impassable strait, carriers did not hold vessels in indefinite anchorage. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 7 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for impassable

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impassable

Adjective

Videos of the pyrotechnics display show the pitch filling with tall showers of sparks and dense smoke as dozens of fireworks launched upward.

— Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
The rare Saturday night game at the iconic North Side ballpark started an hour late due to rain, then fog billowed in from the north starting in the second inning and got denser.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 July 2026

Definition of dense

Adjective

Even though talks with the Boston Red Sox at last year’s deadline never got close, the confusion provided by an incorrect tweet announcing Ryan’s trade to New England put the pitcher at the top of every trade list before the season even began.

— Dan Hayes, New York Times, 6 July 2026
Ashley Smith is the manager of player engagement for the NFL, and the siblings are close.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 6 July 2026

Definition of close

Adjective

The problem is… their opponents will likely be France, a team that looks impervious.

— Carl Anka, New York Times, 4 July 2026
Overloading Your Washer Even the softest of towels are not impervious to improper laundering, and overloading your washer or using too little water can affect how thoroughly the towels are washed.

— Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 30 June 2026

Definition of impervious

Adjective

In the venue’s defense, the arena’s near-impenetrable exterior likely had something to do with its appeal.

— Alli Rosenbloom, CNN Money, 1 July 2026
Quaintance, in particular, is potentially a monster on defense, and uniting him with Wembanyama might make this team virtually impenetrable.

— John Hollinger, New York Times, 25 June 2026

Definition of impenetrable

Adjective

Chocolate brown stripes punctuate a light charcoal gray background, and the low-pile weave made from recycled polyester gives it an impermeable, easy-to-clean surface.

— Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 26 June 2026
Needing to remain impermeable to everything that is said about him is another stylistic exercise built into the equation of being a global star.

— TIME, Time, 26 June 2026

Definition of impermeable

Adjective

Playing on home soil in a venue that has become an almost impregnable fortress, El Tri will face England in the Round of 16 — in what is arguably the most important match in Mexican soccer history.

— Carlos Rodriguez, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
Alexander the Great conquered it in 332 BCE after building a causeway to what had been considered an impregnable island fortress.

— Jane Arraf, NPR, 23 June 2026

Definition of impregnable

Adjective

The size of the frozen zone in which crews are working to stabilize a building in Midtown Manhattan was decreased late Tuesday, but some roads remain blocked.

— Kelly McCleary, CNN Money, 8 July 2026
Locals can purchase summer pool passes and spend the afternoon sipping frozen cocktails and enjoying light bites at the Pool House.

— Kate Donnelly, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Definition of frozen

Adjective

With the blessing and support of the Forest Service, the tribe began working to restore parts of its homeland — not as a shrubland, or thick conifer forest, but an open and free tapestry anchored by oaks.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Big bluegills fight hard, and hauling them out of sunken trees or thick vegetation on light tackle takes real skill.

— Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 9 July 2026

Definition of thick

Browse Nearby Words

impart (to)

impassable

impasse

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“Impassable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impassable. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of impassable

adjective

Example Sentences

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