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 Still, the Smithsonian has never been impervious to political headwinds either. — Kelsey Ables, The Atlantic, 23 July 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for impervious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impervious

Adjective

Kevin Jairaj / Imagn Images During an early August practice, Hurts was unusually expressive after completing a deep pass down the middle to Elijah Moore in tight coverage.

— Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Room for Disagreement Some Democrats were worried less about their individual candidates or the DCCC’s ability to compete, and more about the Democratic National Committee’s ability to help candidates in tight raises.

— Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of tight

Adjective

Fires routinely sweep Kinshasa’s dense neighborhoods during the dry season, where rapid urban growth outpaces basic protections such as reliable fire and emergency services.

— Saleh Mwanamilongo, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
There comes a moment, looking at Evans’s dense worlds, when the eye stops decoding and the mind begins to surrender.

— Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of dense

Adjective

Playing the American League’s best team, the Padres had the final two games of the series in hand before the practically impermeable back end of their bullpen blew late leads.

— Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of impermeable

Adjective

On closer-range shots, Brughmans often adopts a wide base with his chest slightly forward and his arms relatively low.

— Matt Pyzdrowski, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
In the ninth inning, Ozzie Albies legged out a double off Phillies closer Jhoan Duran (2-5) and Riley followed with a triple off the centerfield fence, giving the Braves the lead.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of close

Adjective

David Gordon Green directs the film, which follows two FBI agents investigating a seemingly impossible murder within the impenetrable walls of a maximum-security prison.

— Angelique Jackson, Variety, 1 Sep. 2026
Child safety experts lauded the settlement and the accompanying pressure campaign as a giant leap forward in the effort to regulate an industry that until this year appeared all but impenetrable to reform, either from the courts or legislatures.

— Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of impenetrable

Adjective

Dropped catches from Steve Smith, Green and Travis Head ensured yesterday's brief rally in the field fizzled out and allowed Bangladesh to bat itself into an almost impregnable position.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of impregnable

Adjective

The floating schools were a response to a longstanding local problem of seasonal floods and impassable, muddy roads that kept children from reaching conventional schools.

— Ali Asif Shawon, NPR, 5 Sep. 2026
Many trees will fall, roads may become impassable and power and water could be unavailable for days or weeks.

— Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 1 Sep. 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 12 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of impervious

adjective

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