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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of impenetrable
Clearly, Villeneuve knows how to turn an impenetrable and famously difficult literary material into something truly cinematic and sweeping.
—
Brent Lang, Variety, 15 Apr. 2026
McKellen can make a terrific meal out of just a few grunts and groans, spending whole scenes mumbling about nothing in particular; meanwhile, Coel comes across as impenetrable, yet alluringly so.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
That dominance has created a near-impenetrable moat.
—Scott Nations, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2026
Not only are the curtains 50 inches wide and impenetrable, the full kit comes with non-damaging adhesive and magnetic blocks to create a full seal, eliminating light leakage around window edges.
—Devonne Goode, Parents, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for impenetrable
Brent Lang, Variety, 15 Apr. 2026
McKellen can make a terrific meal out of just a few grunts and groans, spending whole scenes mumbling about nothing in particular; meanwhile, Coel comes across as impenetrable, yet alluringly so.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
That dominance has created a near-impenetrable moat.
—Scott Nations, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2026
Not only are the curtains 50 inches wide and impenetrable, the full kit comes with non-damaging adhesive and magnetic blocks to create a full seal, eliminating light leakage around window edges.
—Devonne Goode, Parents, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for impenetrable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impenetrable
Adjective
-
Eating avocado or almond butter on toast offers several benefits, as both are nutrient-dense, with almond butter slightly healthier than avocado per serving.—
Angelica Bottaro,
Verywell Health,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The most lasting albums were built on the tradition of musique concrète, leading to dense, mesmerizing collages.—
Joshua Minsoo Kim,
Pitchfork,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But when a mysterious aircraft sinks into the ocean, Ally’s peaceful world is suddenly thrown into danger and is thrust into a journey real-life marine creatures as the film explores themes of friendship and courage.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The Last House is about a family of four who are suddenly sealed inside their home with no way out and must work together to survive against both their dwindling resources and the mysterious, looming threat keeping them trapped.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The majesty of the natural world and the incomprehensible vastness of space are almost infinitely rearrangeable variables for documentarians.—
David Faris,
TheWeek,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Arthur is a creepy dude, a generic-looking cellphone store employee with an incomprehensible plan.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The Bruins managed to keep it tight through the end of the first, with the Sabres taking that 1-0 lead into the first intermission.—
Matt Reigle OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
-
In Illinois, Deppert says rising energy demand is feeding into already tight margins for farmers.—
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
ArsTechnica,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In the century-plus since its grounds were largely closed to the public, dozens of events are evidence that even the White House complex is not impervious to intrusion.—
Meg Kinnard,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
There are precious few roads, and nothing is impervious to the whims of weather.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
But even in its most opposing moments, from its depths of disintegration to its peaks of pattern-building, Spirals/Viral has a cryptic unity.—
Reed Jackson,
SPIN,
24 Apr. 2026
-
George traces mentalism back to the Oracle of Delphi in ancient Greece, who purported to deliver divine — and cryptic — messages from Apollo.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In it, a local TV meteorologist played by Emily Blunt goes mute mid-broadcast and comes out instead with a series of unintelligible noises that rivet viewers.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Instead, first-time director Fergus Campbell drops us directly into Cleo’s world — no parents, no rules and every authority figure is obscured, like the unintelligible adults in Peanuts cartoons.—
Jourdain Searles,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The spongy material is mostly made of air, yet nearly impermeable to both air and liquid.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The outer layer hardened and became impermeable.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Impenetrable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impenetrable. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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