IMPERVIOUS Synonyms: 51 Similar and Opposite Words

impervious

adjective

(ˌ)im-ˈpər-vē-əs

Definition of impervious

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

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 None of the eight simulations were impervious to the threats, and even when agents detected a risk, the detection didn’t translate into the agents trying to contain the threat. — Jake Angelo, semafor.com, 15 Sep. 2026 Many Russians may not regard Putin’s regime as solicitous of the public good, which could explain the withdrawal of capital from the country, but the regime is also accepted as a given, a distant presence impervious to outside influence. — Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 14 Sep. 2026 To deal with the settling, Peters and his team developed flexible flooring lined with an impervious three-ply fabric. — Jennifer Tucker, The Conversation, 7 Aug. 2026 Since her move, Hampton has established herself as England’s No 1 and one of the WSL’s most impervious goalkeepers. — Megan Feringa, New York Times, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for impervious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impervious

Adjective

Opinion polls predict tight race Domestically, Vucic has pledged higher pensions and public sector salaries, investment in state healthcare and subsidies for young couples.

— Reuters, NBC news, 25 Oct. 2026
Both parties expect whoever wins in November to do so by a tight margin in a state of 738,000 people.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of tight

Adjective

The world building is easier to understand and less dense than Crescent City, and the tone is also the most indicative of SJM’s writing on the whole; Throne of Glass started as a YA series, then becomes more adult over time.

— Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 24 Oct. 2026
The mollusks can form dense colonies that clog pipes, obstruct water flow and foul boat motors.

— Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of dense

Adjective

Charlotte has been blessed to grow at a fast rate, but our expansion has removed green spaces with impermeable pavement and buildings.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 6 Oct. 2026
Sign up for the newsletter When the rain does fall, Kabul’s hard, impermeable surfaces mean the water doesn’t replenish aquifers, but instead sweeps through the city as flash floods, destroying homes, killing people and rolling away.

— Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of impermeable

Adjective

That album, like the Dio Sabbath classics before it, was fine-tuned for metalhead appreciation, thick with crushing riffs and dramatic vocals.

— Brad Sanders, Pitchfork, 27 Oct. 2026
At just 70 micrometers thick, the artificial skin has an impressive resolution of 847 dots per inch (dpi), fine enough to detail individual fingerprint ridges.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of thick

Adjective

But the Broncos aren’t just about putting the ball in the back of the net — their defense has allowed just six goals all season and is led by near-impenetrable sophomore goalkeeper Ava de Leest.

— Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 17 Oct. 2026
Even top experts have found OpenAI’s proof of blowup to be completely impenetrable.

— Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of impenetrable

Adjective

After the Spanish Navy built its arsenal and shipyards in Ferrol’s almost impregnable harbor in the 18th century, the city boomed.

— Jason Horowitz, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2026
The bottom line is that the control of the Amodeis and their co-founders is designed to be impregnable.

— Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of impregnable

Adjective

With these blue collar parents’ grade-school-age son a tangibly quiet presence, a seemingly impassable unhappiness oozes from the opening scenes.

— Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Near the Town of Boone, portions of Deerfield Road and Bamboo Road are flooded and impassible.

— NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of impassable

Browse Nearby Words

imperturbably

impervious

impetrate

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“Impervious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impervious. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of impervious

adjective

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