1
as in dense
impossible to get through or into
the ancient temple was surrounded by vast stretches of impenetrable jungle
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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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
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
The series retains its fondness for rapid-fire, near-impenetrable finance jargon and for ostentatious literary quotations—the product, we’re meant to assume, of the characters’ otherwise wasted Oxbridge educations.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
This behavior is designed to make the people feel powerless and the governing authority impenetrable.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
Mexico’s iconic Yucatan Peninsula is a place of contrasts, where impenetrable jungle meets wide open ocean, lush vegetation meets sandy shores, and vibrant energy meets pure serenity.
—Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for impenetrable
Bobby Allyn, NPR, 18 Feb. 2026
The series retains its fondness for rapid-fire, near-impenetrable finance jargon and for ostentatious literary quotations—the product, we’re meant to assume, of the characters’ otherwise wasted Oxbridge educations.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
This behavior is designed to make the people feel powerless and the governing authority impenetrable.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
Mexico’s iconic Yucatan Peninsula is a place of contrasts, where impenetrable jungle meets wide open ocean, lush vegetation meets sandy shores, and vibrant energy meets pure serenity.
—Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for impenetrable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impenetrable
Adjective
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This reduces the need to send manned aircraft into dense air defense zones.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Mar. 2026
-
That’s according to a new poll of 806 Boise voters commissioned by the Gem State Housing Alliance and the Welcoming Neighbors Network, a housing advocacy group pushing for zoning changes to open more avenues for denser, smaller and less- expensive homes.—
Mark Dee
March 3,
Idaho Statesman,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The protagonist, Sam, fears the mysterious bear, while her sister is magnetically drawn to him, edging dangerously close.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Mar. 2026
-
The film’s plot is thrust in motion when a series of perverse scam calls unsettles an idyllic retirement community, watching as a starry-eyed nurse (Cemre Paksoy) becomes entangled with her mysterious patient (Bruce McKenzie).—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
By dismissing shooters as incomprehensible villains, Peterson says, families and communities may miss warning signs in the young people around them.—
Brit McCandless Farmer,
CBS News,
2 Mar. 2026
-
The crime thriller featured Benicio Del Toro’s breakout role as the incomprehensible low-level criminal Fred Fenster.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Each of the robot’s six wheel systems contains its own motor, allowing precise movement and 360-degree turning in tight spaces.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Instead of feeling generous, the space feels tight and overworked, with chairs competing for attention and elbow room.—
Angelika Pokovba,
Martha Stewart,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Flooding is exacerbated by increasing the impervious area.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Mar. 2026
-
But as the cold persisted into the next week and then the one following, a new test emerged, one more impervious to a communications strategy.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Strange rituals conducted by children unfold on the beach; dance parties at the big club devolve into fever dream bacchanals; cryptic, threatening symbols appear near the rental house.—
John Warner,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Boil it down to just one musician and an acoustic guitar to reveal the durability of this cryptic, futuristic sound.—
Sam Sodomsky,
Pitchfork,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Despite being grouped together under the Miao umbrella, the four groups have little in common today, and their languages are different enough as to be unintelligible between groups.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Transcribers often complained that the wax recordings were unintelligible—dictators needed to speak directly into the speaking tube, loudly, clearly, and at an appropriate pace, but many did not.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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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 9 Mar. 2026.
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