1
as in dense
impossible to get through or into
the ancient temple was surrounded by vast stretches of impenetrable jungle
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mysterious
being beyond one's powers to know, understand, or explain
the mysteries of that religion are completely impenetrable to outsiders
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in incomprehensible
impossible to understand
the textbook's language is completely impenetrable, at least to me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 impenetrable
The Arcadis report finds an impenetrable surface cover outlined in the next option, Alternative 5, to be unfeasible due to the site’s topography and other floodplain issues.
—
Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2026
The chain of events triggered by the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel by Hamas shattered the image of Iran as an impenetrable and defiant regional power.
—Abbas Al Lawati, CNN Money, 1 Mar. 2026
Young people are currently shut out of wealth concentration and face a nearly impenetrable housing market, heavily evidenced by the fact that the average age of a first-time homebuyer has now hit 40 years old.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2026
For decades, Silicon Valley has maintained a nearly impenetrable legal perimeter in the form of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, a 1996 law that allows tech companies to avoid legal responsibility for what its users post.
—Bobby Allyn, NPR, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for impenetrable
Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2026
The chain of events triggered by the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel by Hamas shattered the image of Iran as an impenetrable and defiant regional power.
—Abbas Al Lawati, CNN Money, 1 Mar. 2026
Young people are currently shut out of wealth concentration and face a nearly impenetrable housing market, heavily evidenced by the fact that the average age of a first-time homebuyer has now hit 40 years old.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2026
For decades, Silicon Valley has maintained a nearly impenetrable legal perimeter in the form of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, a 1996 law that allows tech companies to avoid legal responsibility for what its users post.
—Bobby Allyn, NPR, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for impenetrable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impenetrable
Adjective
-
As evening fell, the already dense traffic built to an even more frenetic pace, and the rhythm of the strugglers also picked up.—
Taran Khan,
The Dial,
24 Mar. 2026
-
While many of Charlotte’s most popular ones grew around dense, walkable clusters of restaurants and bars — places where visitors can park once and spend the evening moving from one establishment to another — University City evolved differently.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
In addition to learning more about the karsts' mysterious ecosystems, the biodiversity study aimed to advocate for their conservation.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Per the official logline, School Spirits is centered around Maddie, a teen girl stuck in the afterlife investigating her own mysterious disappearance.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The permanent layoff of approximately 300 workers at the Searles Valley Minerals Trona plant will have an incomprehensible impact on our High Desert communities.—
Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh,
Oc Register,
21 Mar. 2026
-
If not for the frame of the goal and an incomprehensible Riccardo Califiori block, the outlook of the game could have been very different going into the break.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Repeat customers who rushed to buy Labubus during periods of tight supply helped spike revenue growth in mainland China last year, according to HSBC.—
Elaine Yu,
CNBC,
25 Mar. 2026
-
One key to success in campaigns is exercising tight control over your message.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
There are precious few roads, and nothing is impervious to the whims of weather.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Mar. 2026
-
This plant can grow as tall as eight feet and is impervious to drought.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The lyrics are often cryptic and clipped, but bear evidence of turbulence and tumult.—
Colin Joyce,
Pitchfork,
18 Mar. 2026
-
His heroes aren’t athletes or movie stars but anonymous Twitter accounts—anime avatars and pseudonyms with cryptic bios—whose followers track their trades with devotional intensity.—
Clara Molot,
Vanity Fair,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Instead, first-time director Fergus Campbell drops us directly into Cleo’s world — no parents, no rules and every authority figure is obscured, like the unintelligible adults in Peanuts cartoons.—
Jourdain Searles,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Later audio intel from subsidiary figures is likewise frequently rendered unintelligible by distortion, staticky transmission, etc.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
2 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Armed with fabulous ensembles and accessories, as well as her quick wit, Maxine attempts to cross that impermeable line between the haves and the have-nots.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
2 Mar. 2026
-
My father’s 1930s interviews tell stories of couples who defied Chicago’s seemingly impermeable color line.—
Dorothy Roberts,
Time,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Impenetrable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impenetrable. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
