impassable

adjective

im·​pass·​able (ˌ)im-ˈpa-sə-bəl How to pronounce impassable (audio)
variants or less commonly impassible
Synonyms of impassablenext
: incapable of being passed, traveled, crossed, or surmounted
impassability
(ˌ)im-ˌpa-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce impassable (audio)
noun
impassableness
(ˌ)im-ˈpa-sə-bəl-nəs How to pronounce impassable (audio)
noun
impassably
(ˌ)im-ˈpa-sə-blē How to pronounce impassable (audio)
adverb

Synonyms of impassable

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Examples of impassable in a Sentence

The roads were made impassable by the flood. the road was impassable until snowplows cleared it
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Roads can become impassable, evacuation orders can change and homes or outdoor enclosures can be damaged, leaving pets vulnerable to injury or escape. — Melanie Marshall, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Aug. 2026 But challenges remain, including impassable roads, the presence of armed groups and the movement of people displaced by violence. — ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026 In a sport obsessed with scoring from the perimeter, her highlight reel, Williams’ claim to notoriety, lies almost entirely on her prowess as an elite defender, an impassable obstacle. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026 Duneland schools remain closed due to outages throughout its buildings, numerous impassable roads and downed power lines throughout the community, according to the district website. — Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for impassable

Word History

First Known Use

1562, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of impassable was in 1562

Rhymes for impassable

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Browse Nearby Words

impassability
impassable
impasse
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Cite this Entry

“Impassable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impassable. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

impassable

adjective
im·​pass·​able (ˈ)im-ˈpas-ə-bəl How to pronounce impassable (audio)
: impossible to pass, cross, or travel over
roads made impassable by the hurricane
impassability
(ˌ)im-ˌpas-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē How to pronounce impassable (audio)
noun
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