impervious

adjective

(ˌ)im-ˈpər-vē-əs How to pronounce impervious (audio)
Definition of imperviousnext
1
as in tight
not allowing penetration (as by gas, liquid, or light) the material for this coat is supposed to be impervious to rain

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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 This proposal involves extremely large impervious surfaces, roofing, pavement, truck courts, loading areas, and supporting infrastructure. — Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 27 May 2026 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 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 Despite missing four starters due to indiscipline, Cameroon were relentless in this World Cup quarter-final and England had an impervious Peter Shilton and David Platt — still euphoric from that volley against Belgium in the previous round — to thank for a fortunate 1-0 half-time lead. — The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 18 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for impervious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impervious
  1. tight
  2. dense
  3. impermeable
  4. close
  5. thick
  6. impenetrable
  7. impregnable
  8. impassable
Adjective
  • In a massive joint operation, US Central Command – with tight coordination from US Strategic Command, US Space Command, and the US Space Force – used electromagnetic warfare to blank out a massive area over Iran.
    — David Szondy July 06, New Atlas, 7 July 2026
  • In major competitions since Euro 1984 (including the UEFA Nations League), the contests have been tight affairs that have been decided by one goal or penalties.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
Definition of tight
Adjective
  • Videos of the pyrotechnics display show the pitch filling with tall showers of sparks and dense smoke as dozens of fireworks launched upward.
    — Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
  • The rare Saturday night game at the iconic North Side ballpark started an hour late due to rain, then fog billowed in from the north starting in the second inning and got denser.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 July 2026
Definition of dense
Adjective
  • Chocolate brown stripes punctuate a light charcoal gray background, and the low-pile weave made from recycled polyester gives it an impermeable, easy-to-clean surface.
    — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 26 June 2026
  • Needing to remain impermeable to everything that is said about him is another stylistic exercise built into the equation of being a global star.
    — TIME, Time, 26 June 2026
Definition of impermeable
Adjective
  • Even though talks with the Boston Red Sox at last year’s deadline never got close, the confusion provided by an incorrect tweet announcing Ryan’s trade to New England put the pitcher at the top of every trade list before the season even began.
    — Dan Hayes, New York Times, 6 July 2026
  • Ashley Smith is the manager of player engagement for the NFL, and the siblings are close.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 6 July 2026
Definition of close
Adjective
  • The combination makes strands thicker, fuller, stronger, frizz-free, and softer—and thus, longer with less shedding and breakage.
    — Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 2 July 2026
  • The brown, round cookie has arms and legs, one eyebrow thicker than the other, and one buck tooth.
    — Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of thick
Adjective
  • In the venue’s defense, the arena’s near-impenetrable exterior likely had something to do with its appeal.
    — Alli Rosenbloom, CNN Money, 1 July 2026
  • Quaintance, in particular, is potentially a monster on defense, and uniting him with Wembanyama might make this team virtually impenetrable.
    — John Hollinger, New York Times, 25 June 2026
Definition of impenetrable
Adjective
  • Alexander the Great conquered it in 332 BCE after building a causeway to what had been considered an impregnable island fortress.
    — Jane Arraf, NPR, 23 June 2026
  • On that occasion a team made up of players who had all been born in Haiti shocked an Italy team famed for its impregnable defense.
    — Laurent Dubois, The Conversation, 10 June 2026
Definition of impregnable
Adjective
  • Officials on Saturday morning said the Gilman Trail is impassable and closed near the Edgelawn Avenue east trailhead due to flooding.
    — Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 4 July 2026
  • South of there, at Kessler Air Force Base, several roads became impassible.
    — Kenton Gewecke, ABC News, 16 June 2026
Definition of impassable

Browse Nearby Words

imperturbably
impervious
impetrate
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Cite this Entry

“Impervious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impervious. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on impervious

Nglish: Translation of impervious for Spanish Speakers

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