impassable

1 of 2

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

impassability

2 of 2

noun

im·​passability (¦)im+ How to pronounce impassability (audio)
: the quality or state of being impassable
stopped by the complete impassability of the road

Synonyms of impassable

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Adjective

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Examples of impassable in a Sentence

Adjective 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.
Adjective
The Strait carries roughly a fifth of the world’s oil, and remains largely impassable. — Garrett Downs, CNBC, 31 May 2026 Hikers also must navigate changing tides that can make portions of the trail impassable during high water. — Velvet Wu, Sacbee.com, 26 May 2026 Faced with an impassable strait, carriers did not hold vessels in indefinite anchorage. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 7 May 2026 Many of the landmarks along the Byway are only open during the warm season, and heavy snowstorms and ice make some sections impassable during winter. — Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 3 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for impassable

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

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
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Impassable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impassable. Accessed 7 Jul. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on impassable

Nglish: Translation of impassable for Spanish Speakers

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