impervious

adjective

(ˌ)im-ˈpər-vē-əs How to pronounce impervious (audio)
Definition of imperviousnext
1
as in tight
not allowing penetration (as by gas, liquid, or light) the material for this coat is supposed to be impervious to rain

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dense
impossible to get through or into the rain forest is impervious to all but the most dedicated explorers

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 impervious Overloading Your Washer Even the softest of towels are not impervious to improper laundering, and overloading your washer or using too little water can affect how thoroughly the towels are washed. — Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 30 June 2026 Crafted from durable high-density polyethylene, these Adirondack chairs are resistant to corrosion and impervious to the elements. — Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 25 June 2026 Very much on the plus side, the output can't smudge, doesn't scratch easily, is almost impossible to tear, and is virtually impervious to water, so high scores for survivability. — M. David Stone, PC Magazine, 19 June 2026 Waterproof materials are impervious to water, providing a complete barrier, while water-resistant materials only resist water penetration to a certain degree before the water seeps through. — Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for impervious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impervious
  1. tight
  2. dense
  3. impermeable
  4. close
  5. thick
  6. impenetrable
  7. impregnable
  8. impassable
Adjective
  • Mexico holds over 140 Tcf (trillion cubic feet) of unconventional gas resources, mostly in northern shale or tight sand basins.
    — Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Amid tight security, Najib stood inside a cage wearing a prisoner’s uniform as the judge read the sentence.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of tight
Adjective
  • Conditions that are too cold might delay proofing or rising, resulting in a super-dense loaf.
    — Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Local authorities did not say how the captives were rescued from the dense, expansive forest of the Kainji Lake National Park.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of dense
Adjective
  • State officials estimated the costs at $4,100 per acre of paved or impermeable surface for those that decide to help fund local stormwater projects, and said the costs for other options could be considerably higher.
    — Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
  • Spain needed until the 106th minute to slip a Ferran Torres shot past the impermeable goalkeeping of Argentina’s Emiliano Martínez, whose championship-game record 11 saves proved one too few.
    — Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 20 July 2026
Definition of impermeable
Adjective
  • Girls’ Generation, currently eight members, can be taken as a closer parallel of the same story.
    — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Messi’s close friend and international teammate, Rodrigo De Paul, captained the squad in his absence.
    — Avi Creditor, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of close
Adjective
  • The images her sister captured after the strike show the trajectory of the projectile, which ripped through floor after floor, and left a gaping hole covered in a thick layer of white dust.
    — Ava Bambuck, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Spread the vanilla Greek yogurt into an even layer, about ½ inch thick.
    — Sharon Lawson, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of thick
Adjective
  • The pair will share the screen with Will Smith and AnnaSophia Robb, who play two FBI agents investigating a seemingly impossible murder within the impenetrable walls of a maximum-security prison.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2026
  • There was a metal gate rolled out making the front portion of the plane an impenetrable fortress.
    — David Hookstead OutKick, FOXNews.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of impenetrable
Adjective
  • The shell of a good- sized adult abalone is more or less impregnable to most of the kelp forest’s predators, too strong and too thick for penetration.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 July 2026
  • As recidivist would-be escapees, de Boeldieu, Marechal, and Rosenthal are transferred to an impregnable medieval fortress, commanded by Captain von Rauffenstein, now burnt, broken in body, and wearing a neck brace.
    — Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 18 July 2026
Definition of impregnable
Adjective
  • Regardless, numerous roads remain flooded and impassible, including East Pine Street, Riverside Drive, Westfield Road, and Welcome Baptist Church Road.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Neighbors say the road sometimes becomes impassable during floods, which could leave visitors stranded at the park.
    — John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of impassable

Browse Nearby Words

imperturbably
impervious
impetrate
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Cite this Entry

“Impervious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impervious. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of impervious for Spanish Speakers

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