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 Bowling a 300 – a perfect candlepin game – is almost impossible. — Lee Cowan, CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026 Winning made the Hurricanes easy to root against, but also impossible to ignore. — Emile Nuh, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026 For Democrats, the path to retake the Senate majority is nearly impossible without holding onto Michigan. — NBC news, 9 Aug. 2026 Ortega also said fully recreating natural conditions for the dragonflies would be very difficult if not impossible. — Finnegan Belleau, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for impossible

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impossible

Adjective

After 40, about half are abnormal and unlikely to result in pregnancy.

— Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
There is even a brief potential window for a few tiny raindrops in the Sacramento area Wednesday, although any rain on the radar is unlikely to reach the ground.

— Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of unlikely

Adjective

Yet their portrait of the artist as a hopeless snot-nosed punk doesn’t seem interested in knowing who this guy was past being another dude in search of a purpose.

— David Fear, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026
Echoing her sentiments, Shaharier remembered feeling hopeless when his baby boy was born so early.

— Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026

Definition of hopeless

Adjective

Other models, like Dive-LD and Dive-XL, are used to map the seafloor and perform missions that are too dangerous or impractical for human divers.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026
The alternatives to dealing with this problem would be redesigning airports (impractical and expensive) or restricting flight schedules (really expensive), so Airbus wants to make the new wings foldable.

— David Szondy August 04, New Atlas, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of impractical

Adjective

Doors and windows are rendered unopenable by some outside force; attempts to break the glass prove likewise futile.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026
The Chargers’ search for an impactful ground game has been futile since Gordon ran for the last of his career high in yards.

— Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of futile

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impossible

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“Impossible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impossible. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of impossible

adjective

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