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 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 Crafted from durable high-density polyethylene, these Adirondack chairs are resistant to corrosion and impervious to the elements. — Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 25 June 2026 Very much on the plus side, the output can't smudge, doesn't scratch easily, is almost impossible to tear, and is virtually impervious to water, so high scores for survivability. — M. David Stone, PC Magazine, 19 June 2026 Waterproof materials are impervious to water, providing a complete barrier, while water-resistant materials only resist water penetration to a certain degree before the water seeps through. — Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for impervious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impervious

Adjective

Luchanko often creates chances for his teammates on the move, in tight and off the edge.

— Corey Pronman, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
If money is tight, families tend to prioritize keeping boys in school, even if girls show more promise, experts say.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of tight

Adjective

Elevated on an all-wood frame and ringed by tall evergreens, the home feels like a slice of Lake Tahoe in the middle of a dense suburb.

— David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 15 Aug. 2026
They are being sculpted by intense radiation from nearby young stars, while new stars are forming inside the dense clouds.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of dense

Adjective

State officials estimated the costs at $4,100 per acre of paved or impermeable surface for those that decide to help fund local stormwater projects, and said the costs for other options could be considerably higher.

— Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
Spain needed until the 106th minute to slip a Ferran Torres shot past the impermeable goalkeeping of Argentina’s Emiliano Martínez, whose championship-game record 11 saves proved one too few.

— Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 20 July 2026

Definition of impermeable

Adjective

This is something the First Alert Weather Team will keep a close eye on throughout the week.

— Michael Autovino, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
Makhachev’s record-setting victory came over Ian Machado Garry via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47) in one of Makhachev’s closest fights.

— Mark Puleo, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of close

Adjective

Swathes of those still standing are marked for death, their fate written like braille in the form of scores of tiny holes — no thicker than a dot left by a ballpoint pen — beneath the bark.

— Jack Bantock, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
Eastern handles are shorter and thicker, catering more to those who use a Penhold grip, where the head of the paddle is facing down and the paddle is held like a pen.

— BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of thick

Adjective

The rule also failed to tackle all of the ways trusts and other vehicles provide impenetrable secrecy for the wealthy and the crooked alike.

— Casey Michel, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2026
Cody erects impenetrable emotional walls around him that deny him from asking for help and creating community.

— Randy Myers, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 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

Poor and sometimes impassable roads can also make remote areas difficult to reach, while insecurity restricts where health workers can safely operate.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 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

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 19 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of impervious

adjective

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