Synonyms of impenetrability

impenetrability

noun

(ˌ)im-ˌpe-nə-trə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• mysteriousness
• ambiguity
• inscrutability
• uncanniness
• obscurity
• darkness
• profundity
• vagueness
• numinousness
• unintelligibility
• inscrutableness
• murkiness
• incomprehensibility
• equivocality
• deepness
• inexplicability
• shadowiness
• unknowability
• abstruseness
• equivocalness
• esotericism
• unintelligibleness
• hermetism
• unanswerability
• inexplicableness
• abstrusity
• reconditeness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• intelligibility
• understandability
• transparency
• clarity
• straightforwardness
• obviousness
• plainness
• self-evidence

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of impenetrability

Played with gruff impenetrability and a thinly veiled sadistic streak by David Shih, this big dog’s name is Mitsuo, but no one uses names in the heya — only ranks. —Sara Holdren, Vulture, 5 Mar. 2025

Curiously, this rediscovered impenetrability has come with Nick Pope, the undisputed No 1 goalkeeper, injured. —Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 1 Jan. 2025

Kim Gordon, The Collective A 71-year-old noise-rocker reciting spoken word over drum machines might scan as avant-garde impenetrability. —Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 17 Dec. 2024

Scott blends Damon’s close-to-the-bone fragility and Alain Delon’s simmering impenetrability in making this uncertain Tom Ripley his own. —Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Apr. 2024