IMPOSSIBLE Synonyms: 70 Similar and Opposite Words

impossible

adjective

(ˌ)im-ˈpä-sə-bəl

Definition of impossible

as in unlikely

incapable of being solved or accomplished the seemingly impossible problem of world hunger fitting everything in my backpack seemed an impossible task

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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 impossible Calculating the exact number of artists in the city is nearly impossible, according to Sacramento Public Arts Commissioner Donald Gensler. — Tania Azhang, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026 The 2008 financial crisis made this transparency problem impossible to ignore. — Stuart Robertson, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026 Aylo argues that the requirement is impossible to meet because there’s no surefire way to determine a VPN user's location. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 2 Oct. 2026 For his opening-night program, Garcia will place Opus Jazz immediately after George Balanchine’s virtuosic Allegro Brillante, making the temperature shift almost impossible to miss. — Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for impossible

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impossible

Adjective

The political situation in the United States may have made the prospect of an American pope seem even more unlikely.

— Scott Detrow, NPR, 3 Oct. 2026
The Justice Department argued the outlets are unlikely to succeed on their claims and urged Kelly to deny their request for a preliminary injunction.

— Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of unlikely

Adjective

For example, compared to young men, young women who completed the survey were about twice as likely to have felt persistently sad and hopeless, had poor mental health, seriously considered suicide or attempted suicide.

— Crystal Cederna, The Conversation, 25 Sep. 2026
Cregger uses first-person-shooter point-of-view shots, with the long barrel of a rifle or automatic weapon lining up our sights; one running gag sees Bryan, completely hopeless with guns, having to shoot the locks off of gates.

— Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of hopeless

Adjective

Behavioral therapies, which are standard in foster care settings, use punishments and rewards to get children to control outbursts, anger and other problematic behaviors.

— Joseph Shapiro, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026
Together, these layers help leaders decide where an agent can take on more responsibility, where its work needs refinement and where intervention is needed before a problematic pattern becomes embedded in an important workflow.

— Hanah-Marie Darley, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of problematic

Adjective

Nonlinear editing changed how films are cut; digital cinematography changed how they are shot and reviewed; visual effects and virtual production made once-impractical images possible.

— Partner Content, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026
That would be impractical in Soho and unthinkable in Times Square.

— Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of impractical

Adjective

Before the court fight was launched, Edwin Benn, the arbitrator who oversaw 2023 contract negotiations between the city and FOP, warned the City Council that any attempt to undermine his award to the union would be futile.

— Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026
It’s also brilliantly written as a futile, pathetic rebellion by men with zero agency or purpose in their own lives.

— Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of futile

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impossible

impossibly

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“Impossible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impossible. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of impossible

adjective

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