impassable

adjective

im·​pass·​able (ˌ)im-ˈpa-sə-bəl 

variants or less commonly impassible

: incapable of being passed, traveled, crossed, or surmounted

impassability

(ˌ)im-ˌpa-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

impassableness

(ˌ)im-ˈpa-sə-bəl-nəs 

noun

impassably

(ˌ)im-ˈpa-sə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms

• impenetrable
• impermeable
• impervious
• impregnable

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

Many partially destroyed streets and bridges that were covered with mud months ago are still impassable. —Eduardo Medina, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025

Most roads are impassable; most power and sewer infrastructure is gone. —Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025

Already, Jones said, the streets can become impassable if there is heavy enough rain. —Shawn Raymundo, The Arizona Republic, 7 Nov. 2024

These conditions could lead to treacherous travel, with roads becoming impassable in hilly or mountainous areas. —Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1562, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

impassable

adjective

im·​pass·​able (ˈ)im-ˈpas-ə-bəl 

: impossible to pass, cross, or travel over

roads made impassable by the hurricane

impassability

(ˌ)im-ˌpas-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun