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
Examples 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
Dylan is simply a force of nature, bobbing on the impenetrable currents of his personal muse.
—
Scott Phillips, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
The Bookshelf The Bookshelf Katherine Howell The rise of a conspiracy-theorist Left, the vital front in the preservation of Western civilization, and Israel’s need for impenetrable defenses.
—Martha Bayles, National Review, 21 Nov. 2024
Alexis Lafrenière gathered the rebound and put it past the previously impenetrable Dustin Wolf.
—Peter Baugh, The Athletic, 21 Nov. 2024
The fame afforded Sacks financial freedom, as well as more opportunities to tell the stories of people whose isolation had previously seemed impenetrable.
—Michael S. Roth, The Atlantic, 16 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for impenetrable 
Scott Phillips, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
The Bookshelf The Bookshelf Katherine Howell The rise of a conspiracy-theorist Left, the vital front in the preservation of Western civilization, and Israel’s need for impenetrable defenses.
—Martha Bayles, National Review, 21 Nov. 2024
Alexis Lafrenière gathered the rebound and put it past the previously impenetrable Dustin Wolf.
—Peter Baugh, The Athletic, 21 Nov. 2024
The fame afforded Sacks financial freedom, as well as more opportunities to tell the stories of people whose isolation had previously seemed impenetrable.
—Michael S. Roth, The Atlantic, 16 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for impenetrable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impenetrable
Adjective
-
There’s also the simple fact that much of the densest forest is on terrain so steep that loggers’ machines couldn’t even access it.Elizabeth Miller, Outside Online, 12 Jan. 2025
-
Granted much of that California acreage is uninhabited forest as distinct from a dense, mostly wooden city filled with new immigrants, but that’s still eight times the size, a bigger area than than occupied by Manhattan.The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 12 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The mysterious news promised by the Grammy winner was initially set to go live on Tuesday (Jan. 14).DeMicia Inman, VIBE.com, 15 Jan. 2025
-
Read more Map shows LeBron James' home surrounded by Los Angeles fires Bill Skarsgård's mysterious Count Orlok unveiled in new look at Nosferatu California wildfires push insurance crisis to 'new level' Newsweek has contacted PomegranateDry4848 comment via Reddit.Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Because Lynch’s whole deal was about engagement — connection through friction, comprehension through acknowledging the incomprehensible world all around us, empathy by way of bridging the gap between disparate concepts.Ben Travers, IndieWire, 16 Jan. 2025
-
The people who tend Altadena’s venerable deodar cedars have suffered incomprehensible community losses this week, but Santa Rosa Avenue, a.k.a.Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Her blond tresses were pulled back into a tight bun held together by a large clip.Julia Teti, WWD, 10 Jan. 2025
-
Steichen’s tight lips, Zaire Franklin’s podcast and an anonymous Colts player who voiced his frustrations to the media.James Boyd, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The film is the studio’s best hope at fielding a billion-dollar blockbuster in 2025, but even the Man of Steel isn’t impervious to box office Kryptonite.Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 17 Jan. 2025
-
Anti-immigration narratives are impervious to facts.Dan Gooding, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
In a cryptic Instagram post, Smith uploaded a teaser for an endeavor or project related to The Matrix universe.Marc Griffin, VIBE.com, 6 Jan. 2025
-
That leaves open a mystery Smith sparked on Monday with a cryptic Instagram post noting how Smith passed on the starring role of Neo in the original 1999 sci-fi epic The Matrix, directed by Lana Wachowski and Lilly Wachowski.Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
According to Klippenstein, parts of the document are unintelligible due to Mangione's handwriting.Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
-
Instead, like 2022’s Smile, the end credits are accompanied by haunting unintelligible voices and sounds throughout.Tim Lammers, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024
Adjective
-
Turn the heat to medium-low, add the grits and cook, stirring frequently, until thick, creamy, and tender, 15–20 minutes.Ryan McCarthy, Saveur, 16 Jan. 2025
-
Some of the cables he’s found are as thick as a pinky finger and, when attached to the right tree, are strong enough to anchor an elephant calf.Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 16 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near impenetrable
Cite this Entry
“Impenetrable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impenetrable. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share