impassible

1 of 2

adjective (1)

im·​pas·​si·​ble (ˌ)im-ˈpa-sə-bəl 

1

a

: incapable of suffering or of experiencing pain

b

: inaccessible to injury

2

: incapable of feeling : impassive

impassibility

(ˌ)im-ˌpa-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

impassibly

(ˌ)im-ˈpa-sə-blē 

adverb

impassible

2 of 2

adjective (2)

im·​pas·​si·​ble

less common spelling of impassable

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

Synonyms

Adjective (1)

• affectless
• apathetic
• cold-blooded
• emotionless
• impassive
• numb
• passionless
• phlegmatic
• stoic
• stoical
• stolid
• undemonstrative
• unemotional

Examples of impassible in a Sentence

Adjective (1)

years of living behind bars had rendered him impassible

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

It’s been virtually cut off from the outside world because of impassible roads. —Andy Kalmowitz / Jalopnik, Quartz, 30 Sep. 2024

As of Sunday evening, barrier islands were still without power, and many roads remain impassible, county officials said. —Kathryn Varn, Axios, 30 Sep. 2024

All roads in the region should be considered closed, and interstate freeways are impassible in multiple locations. —Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 28 Sep. 2024

Police and fire crews assisted in the dismissal as some routes to the school were open but others were impassible due to the flooding with roads under 3 feet of water. —Mary Gilbert, CNN, 16 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective (1)

Middle English, from Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French, from Late Latin impassibilis, from Latin in- + Late Latin passibilis passible

First Known Use

Adjective (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a