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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 impossible
This made a standard knee replacement surgery impossible.
—
Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 July 2025
While Dancing with Sharks may sound impossible, the show plans to deliver on exactly what its title promises — a dancing competition where live sharks are the contestants.
—Kelli Bender, People.com, 18 July 2025
There are different types: first-party cookies for basic functionality, third-party cookies for tracking, and more advanced ones, such as super cookies and zombie cookies, which are difficult, or nearly impossible, to delete.
—Nia Bowers, USA Today, 18 July 2025
Crews are using heavy equipment to build a fire line to the north, although terrain on both fires is extremely difficult or impossible to navigate in some areas.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for impossible
Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 July 2025
While Dancing with Sharks may sound impossible, the show plans to deliver on exactly what its title promises — a dancing competition where live sharks are the contestants.
—Kelli Bender, People.com, 18 July 2025
There are different types: first-party cookies for basic functionality, third-party cookies for tracking, and more advanced ones, such as super cookies and zombie cookies, which are difficult, or nearly impossible, to delete.
—Nia Bowers, USA Today, 18 July 2025
Crews are using heavy equipment to build a fire line to the north, although terrain on both fires is extremely difficult or impossible to navigate in some areas.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for impossible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impossible
Adjective
-
So worst-case would be a fifth-place finish, which is unlikely.—
Mark Hughes,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
-
Trump is unlikely to allow India’s policy toward Ukraine to determine the future of a U.S.-India deal or a thaw in trade tensions, for example, and likewise with China.—
Thomas Wright,
The Atlantic,
15 July 2025
Adjective
-
How to get your love letter stamped from Valentine, Texas For more than three decades, the small-town Valentine Post Office — also known as the Love Station — has processed thousands of love letters from hopeless romantics around the world.—
Brandi D. Addison,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
-
Marcus Hopkins has been trying to have his criminal record expunged for years, a process which left him hopeless.—
Rebecca-Ann Jattan,
Sacbee.com,
26 June 2025
Adjective
-
This is especially problematic because compensation in financial services is reliant on bonuses, commissions and decision-making power and these rewards don’t often trickle down.—
Sughnen Yongo,
Forbes.com,
13 July 2025
-
For Gathegi, the shocking moment underscored age-old problematic tropes.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
However, for many travelers who take only one or two flights a year, that's impractical advice.—
Christopher Elliott,
USA Today,
11 July 2025
-
Aside from being impractical, the new importation strategy would leave America’s drug supply vulnerable to dangerous counterfeit medicines from abroad.—
Sally C. Pipes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
Go with the flow, but not toward the beach: Trying to swim directly toward the beach when caught in a rip current is futile and exhausting.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
6 July 2025
-
This group saw military responses as futile, as Iran was assumed to have escalation dominance.—
JAMES JEFFREY,
Foreign Affairs,
4 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Impossible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impossible. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share