1
as in dense
impossible to get through or into
the ancient temple was surrounded by vast stretches of impenetrable jungle
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in incomprehensible
impossible to understand
the textbook's language is completely impenetrable, at least to me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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 impenetrable
Like those two men, Combs' power and influence created an impenetrable cocoon of privilege that, prosecutors will argue, insulated him from repercussions while devastating the lives of men and women who stayed largely silent for fear of his reach.
—
Marco Della Cava, USA Today, 6 May 2025
That impenetrable wall made Jackson feel safe, and it got broken.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 20 Apr. 2025
There are also many systems to contend with that can be slightly impenetrable for newcomers.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 21 Apr. 2025
Most of those minerals are currently buried beneath thick sheets of previously impenetrable ice.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impenetrable
Marco Della Cava, USA Today, 6 May 2025
That impenetrable wall made Jackson feel safe, and it got broken.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 20 Apr. 2025
There are also many systems to contend with that can be slightly impenetrable for newcomers.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 21 Apr. 2025
Most of those minerals are currently buried beneath thick sheets of previously impenetrable ice.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impenetrable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impenetrable
Adjective
-
The cause of the crash also remains unclear, but officials said Friday that the weather alert system and runway lights weren’t working at the airport when the jet attempted to land amid dense fog around 3:45 a.m.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
23 May 2025
-
However, researchers observed that after being dispersed by the radiation, the clouds were not dense or large enough to create new stars.—
Kameryn Griesser,
CNN Money,
23 May 2025
Adjective
-
Denim shifts toward a mysterious direction in Blooming Darkness.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
27 May 2025
-
Carlton Reid Based on 20 years of observations by NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope, new research sheds light on one of the solar system’s most mysterious planets.—
Ryan Waniata,
Wired News,
27 May 2025
Adjective
-
Consumers have gotten used to a complicated annual plan selection, confusing industry jargon, and incomprehensible coverage policies.—
Dan Gingiss,
Forbes.com,
11 Apr. 2025
-
Every version of it, whether recorded in a studio, live with a full orchestra or only a piano, just rails through absolutely incomprehensible storytelling (something about virgins on a spaceship?) with a lusty guitar and smashed piano chords.—
Shana Naomi Krochmal,
Vulture,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The two have to be considered the tightest friendship pair in franchise history, and went through an emotional roller coaster filled with highs and lows along the way.—
Dalton Ross,
EW.com,
22 May 2025
-
That might be tricky given New York’s tight cap situation.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
Adjective
-
Its thick plastic outer casing is impervious to flex.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
28 May 2025
-
British travelers, however, are largely impervious to currency fluctuations.—
Monica Pitrelli,
CNBC,
13 May 2025
Adjective
-
Before Tessitore and Barrett could finish arguing, the screen cut out to a cryptic promo from Uncle Howdy, who teased coming after the Tag Team Titles.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
-
On Thursday, May 29, the 20-year-old shared a cryptic message on Instagram Stories.—
Catherine Santino,
People.com,
30 May 2025
Adjective
-
Decisions once made by human engineers in the future are now being executed by models whose internal logic may be unintelligible even to their creators.—
Anuj Tyagi,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
-
The words were unintelligible on the video, but Sacramento Police Department officials in a statement summarizing the incident said the man told officers to shoot him.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
15 May 2025
Adjective
-
Its thick plastic outer casing is impervious to flex.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
28 May 2025
-
Conversely, smog, cloud cover, and thicker ozone layers limit the amount of UV radiation that reaches the skin.6 Locations further from the equator at higher altitudes experience less sunlight in the winter and more in the summer.—
Amy Brownstein,
Verywell Health,
27 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Impenetrable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impenetrable. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share