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 Properties with at least five acres of impervious surface will be subject to the rules. — Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 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 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 See All Example Sentences for impervious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impervious

Adjective

Lee said that under tight budgets and schedules, those scenes would normally have had to be dropped.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
But Cook also warned on that call that tight supply would weigh on iPhone, Mac, and iPad sales in the months ahead.

— Fernanda Tronco, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of tight

Adjective

Slickwater uses a mix of water, sand, and thin, friction-reducing chemicals rather than thicker gels to shatter dense shale rock deep underground and free the gas.

— Jordan Blum, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026
Tortoises routinely seek shade under dense bushes, vanish into mangroves, or shelter from the scorching equatorial sun.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 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

The theme spills out into a walled garden, where the pool (which could have been a Raj pond in a past life) is lined with white parasols and thick, cushioned loungers.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
His lovely camel-hair coat and thick scarf on this cold day gave him an air of elegance.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of thick

Adjective

Medical bills are often impenetrable documents littered with complex codes and terminology, and sorting through charges and details about insurance coverage can feel intimidating, if not downright paralyzing.

— Jennifer Schlinger, The Conversation, 6 Oct. 2026
The San Juans are among the most impenetrable mountains in the West.

— Peter Hessler, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 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

Some streets in Norfolk, Virginia, were closed Wednesday due to flooding and several are expected to be impassable during high tide Thursday, City Councilman Thomas Smigiel said in a social media post.

— Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2026
About 40 miles south of Newcomb in the small community of Mexican Springs, flooding made many dirt and gravel roads impassable, stranding some families and leaving others unable to reach home.

— Jessica Hill, Los Angeles Times, 19 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 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of impervious

adjective

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