as in mysteriousness
the quality or state of being impossible to know, understand, or explain
the impenetrability of her prose is apparently the basis of her appeal to literary snobs
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Recent Examples of impenetrability
Byrne is generous with his time and attention, but there’s also a Warholian air of mystery about him—a gentle impenetrability, a feeling of separateness.
—
Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025
As a result, the impenetrability of EU bureaucracies will continue to limit the United States’ ability to restructure transatlantic economic relations.
—Jennifer Kavanagh, Foreign Affairs, 30 Sep. 2025
For certain travelers, though, especially those who gravitate toward conflict zones and geopolitical oddities, Turkmenistan’s impenetrability has given it an alluring mystique.
—Joe Yogerst, CNN Money, 31 July 2025
Curiously, this rediscovered impenetrability has come with Nick Pope, the undisputed No 1 goalkeeper, injured.
—Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 1 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impenetrability
Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025
As a result, the impenetrability of EU bureaucracies will continue to limit the United States’ ability to restructure transatlantic economic relations.
—Jennifer Kavanagh, Foreign Affairs, 30 Sep. 2025
For certain travelers, though, especially those who gravitate toward conflict zones and geopolitical oddities, Turkmenistan’s impenetrability has given it an alluring mystique.
—Joe Yogerst, CNN Money, 31 July 2025
Curiously, this rediscovered impenetrability has come with Nick Pope, the undisputed No 1 goalkeeper, injured.
—Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 1 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impenetrability
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impenetrability
Noun
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That intrigue and mysteriousness still rest in the canyon walls today.—
Madison Dapcevich,
Outside,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Good Agents, Bad Agents And Staying Accountable This leads to an uncomfortable ambiguity that traditional know your customer (KYC) and know your business (KYB) processes simply are not cut out for.—
Andrew Sever,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
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Unlike Carol, there’s no ambiguity over whether Pamela is a proper monster — but adding nuance to women who come off like villains is work Cardellini knows well.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Impenetrability.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impenetrability. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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