1
as in dense
impossible to get through or into
the ancient temple was surrounded by vast stretches of impenetrable jungle
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mysterious
being beyond one's powers to know, understand, or explain
the mysteries of that religion are completely impenetrable to outsiders
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3
as in incomprehensible
impossible to understand
the textbook's language is completely impenetrable, at least to me
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4
as in tight
not allowing penetration (as by gas, liquid, or light)
the container of toxic waste has an impenetrable seal to prevent leaks
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of impenetrable
This may seem like an impossible task in a world where politics is becoming more divisive, foreign policy more parochial, and social media bubbles more impenetrable.
—
Harvey Whitehouse, WIRED, 23 Jan. 2025
In fact, the dust in the disk is so impenetrable that T Tauri South A and B are only visible in infrared light, which can pass through the dust relatively unattenuated.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 23 Jan. 2025
Igor Shesterkin dominance continues Since coming back from an upper-body injury Jan. 9, Igor Shesterkin has been pretty much impenetrable.
—Peter Baugh, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025
Independent stores are lush gardens where creativity flourishes, while big-box chains can feel like impenetrable fortresses.
—Joel Goldstein, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impenetrable
Harvey Whitehouse, WIRED, 23 Jan. 2025
In fact, the dust in the disk is so impenetrable that T Tauri South A and B are only visible in infrared light, which can pass through the dust relatively unattenuated.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 23 Jan. 2025
Igor Shesterkin dominance continues Since coming back from an upper-body injury Jan. 9, Igor Shesterkin has been pretty much impenetrable.
—Peter Baugh, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025
Independent stores are lush gardens where creativity flourishes, while big-box chains can feel like impenetrable fortresses.
—Joel Goldstein, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impenetrable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impenetrable
Adjective
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On the other hand, Halsey’s smart, dense, often weird music has lately been overshadowed by the drama that continually dogs her.—
Stephen Deusner,
SPIN,
17 Feb. 2025
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This petite pick packs a springtime punch with its dense collection of yellow, red, and purple tulips.—
Miles Walls,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
In the game, Abby is introduced as a woman on a mysterious mission alongside her friends Mel (Ariela Barer), Nora (Tati Gabrielle), Owen (Spencer Lord) and Manny (Danny Ramirez).—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA TODAY,
20 Feb. 2025
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The investigation finds Reacher smack dab in the center of a mysterious rug import business called Bizarre Bazaar.—
Chris Gardner,
The Hollywood Reporter,
20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
This is something incomprehensible to any human being.—
Caitlin McFall,
Fox News,
5 Feb. 2025
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The loss of Oakland’s MLB team and then the city’s greatest MLB son in the same year is an almost incomprehensible loss for fans like Peters, who feel abandoned by the league.—
Melissa Lockard,
The Athletic,
21 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Volusion differentiates itself from other services in the crowded e-commerce field by offering many useful tools and features, including an easy-to-use website builder, rich tutorials that walk you through its many options, and tight Google search integration.—
Robert Anderson,
PCMAG,
27 Feb. 2025
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The Brits handed their prize to Conclave, which feels like the favorite here, too, since the pacing of its papal politicking is as tight as a drum.—
Nate Jones,
Vulture,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Even the Metroid franchise is not impervious to criticism.—
Lewis Gordon,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2025
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Science done right, like nature itself, is impervious to ideology.—
Michael Hiltzik,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Tell me more about the album’s title—is it supposed to be a little cryptic?—
Liam Hess,
Vogue,
21 Feb. 2025
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Prologue was first announced in 2019 with a cryptic trailer that showed a first-person view of a storm crashing through a dark forest.—
Issy van der Velde,
Rolling Stone,
20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The sometimes unintelligible lyrics roll out over spare acoustic guitar in what sounds like an unfinished demo.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
16 Jan. 2025
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From lobbing slow-motion, underhanded softballs of no public interest to failing to seek clarification for unintelligible tirades to ignoring or allowing falsehoods and blatant political spin, the interview serves less as a public service and more as a reminder of ...—
Becket Adams,
National Review,
12 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Major American investors, including Trump allies, are involved with companies prospecting nickel, iron and rare earth elements, even though much of it is trapped far under frozen ground or ice (in some parts of Greenland, the ice is two miles thick).—
Jeffrey Gettleman,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2025
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Using smaller ducks ensures the meat isn’t too fatty, and the skin isn’t too thick.—
Jenn Rice,
Forbes,
20 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Impenetrable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impenetrable. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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