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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of impenetrable
Artificial intelligence is even peering through the most impenetrable of artifacts: ancient, charred scrolls that are too delicate to be unfurled.
—
Ashley Strickland, CNN, 8 Feb. 2025
What may sound conceptually impenetrable again proves to function not only well, but with humanity, with the release of Horsegiirl’s debut EP, v.i.p. – very important pony.
—Katie Bain, Billboard, 24 Jan. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for impenetrable
Ashley Strickland, CNN, 8 Feb. 2025
What may sound conceptually impenetrable again proves to function not only well, but with humanity, with the release of Horsegiirl’s debut EP, v.i.p. – very important pony.
—Katie Bain, Billboard, 24 Jan. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for impenetrable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impenetrable
Adjective
-
And because the mattress is incredibly well made, each box is fairly dense and heavy.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
27 Feb. 2025
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Zero visibility protocol: In situations of near-zero visibility due to dense fog, activate your hazard lights and seek a secure location, such as a nearby business’s parking lot, to pull over and come to a stop.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Orange County Register,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Researchers in northern Denmark have unearthed evidence of a mysterious circle of wooden posts dating back 4,000 years.—
Sonja Anderson,
Smithsonian Magazine,
4 Mar. 2025
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The Scholars, out May 2 on Matador Records, features at least a dozen distinct characters, in settings that include a mysterious university and a clown school.—
Simon Vozick-Levinson,
Rolling Stone,
4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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In a twist that’s almost incomprehensible today, the Chinese government even officially adopted the US State Department’s method for reporting air quality.—
Zeyi Yang,
WIRED,
5 Mar. 2025
-
This defendant’s actions are incomprehensible, and he will be held accountable.—
Stepheny Price,
Fox News,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Photo: Backgrid Palmer wore her auburn hair slicked back in a tight bun, polished up by celebrity hairstylist Davontae’ Washington—a super elevated classic up-do, sculpted and smooth.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
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
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Where even some of the more reluctant treatment subjects like Rick seem to be getting at least a little out of the experience, Lochlan appears impervious to this coaching.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
2 Mar. 2025
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Citing fellow pundit Ezra Klein, Pfaff says the media are generating a rising-crime vibe that seems impervious to the facts.—
F.K. Plous,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Women possessed by the gods were oracles, predicting the future in cryptic utterances.—
Vipin Bharathan,
Forbes,
9 Mar. 2025
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Escher String Quartet Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts, 2132 Hillside Road, Storrs The Escher String Quartet, named for the cryptic artist M.C. Escher, performs pieces by Ravel, Mendelssohn and Mozart on March 4 at 7:30 p.m. $39, $37 seniors, free for students and youth.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
1 Mar. 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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The final product is smooth but not thin, with a thick and intriguing mouthfeel.—
Erik Ofgang,
Forbes,
5 Mar. 2025
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The average iPhone 16 measures 7.9mm (0.31 inches) thick, and the Galaxy S25 measures 7.2mm (0.28 inches) thick.—
Eric Zeman,
PCMAG,
5 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Impenetrable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impenetrable. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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