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
Completed in 1960, its diagrid exterior, clad in Portland stone, sought to blend in with the rest of the upscale Mayfair neighborhood while asserting itself as an impenetrable fortress.
—
Rebecca Rose, Travel + Leisure, 24 Apr. 2026
This was one of the city's most impenetrable buildings, surrounded by armed guards, made to look uninviting and unappealing.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Clearly, Villeneuve knows how to turn an impenetrable and famously difficult literary material into something truly cinematic and sweeping.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 15 Apr. 2026
McKellen can make a terrific meal out of just a few grunts and groans, spending whole scenes mumbling about nothing in particular; meanwhile, Coel comes across as impenetrable, yet alluringly so.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for impenetrable
Rebecca Rose, Travel + Leisure, 24 Apr. 2026
This was one of the city's most impenetrable buildings, surrounded by armed guards, made to look uninviting and unappealing.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Clearly, Villeneuve knows how to turn an impenetrable and famously difficult literary material into something truly cinematic and sweeping.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 15 Apr. 2026
McKellen can make a terrific meal out of just a few grunts and groans, spending whole scenes mumbling about nothing in particular; meanwhile, Coel comes across as impenetrable, yet alluringly so.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for impenetrable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impenetrable
Adjective
-
Eating avocado or almond butter on toast offers several benefits, as both are nutrient-dense, with almond butter slightly healthier than avocado per serving.—
Angelica Bottaro,
Verywell Health,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The most lasting albums were built on the tradition of musique concrète, leading to dense, mesmerizing collages.—
Joshua Minsoo Kim,
Pitchfork,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But when a mysterious aircraft sinks into the ocean, Ally’s peaceful world is suddenly thrown into danger and is thrust into a journey real-life marine creatures as the film explores themes of friendship and courage.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The Last House is about a family of four who are suddenly sealed inside their home with no way out and must work together to survive against both their dwindling resources and the mysterious, looming threat keeping them trapped.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The majesty of the natural world and the incomprehensible vastness of space are almost infinitely rearrangeable variables for documentarians.—
David Faris,
TheWeek,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Arthur is a creepy dude, a generic-looking cellphone store employee with an incomprehensible plan.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The Bruins managed to keep it tight through the end of the first, with the Sabres taking that 1-0 lead into the first intermission.—
Matt Reigle OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
-
In Illinois, Deppert says rising energy demand is feeding into already tight margins for farmers.—
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
ArsTechnica,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In the century-plus since its grounds were largely closed to the public, dozens of events are evidence that even the White House complex is not impervious to intrusion.—
Meg Kinnard,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
There are precious few roads, and nothing is impervious to the whims of weather.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Eurich later posted a cryptic video to @dumbrblnd on April 21 that followers seemed to think was in reference to Murray.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
-
In the weeks before Andrew Lloyd Webber announced the New York staging of his The Phantom of the Opera reboot Masquerade last year, cryptic messages and clues began popping up, not least being the appearance of the masked singer outside the Tony Awards ceremony.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Still, even as the memes become borderline unintelligible, Kirkslop contains an air of transgression that imbues the otherwise inane edits and images with perverse political undercurrents.—
Brady Brickner-Wood,
New Yorker,
29 Apr. 2026
-
In it, a local TV meteorologist played by Emily Blunt goes mute mid-broadcast and comes out instead with a series of unintelligible noises that rivet viewers.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The spongy material is mostly made of air, yet nearly impermeable to both air and liquid.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The outer layer hardened and became impermeable.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Impenetrable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impenetrable. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
