impassable

[ im-pas-uh-buhl, -pah-suh- ]

adjective

1. not passable; not allowing passage over, through, along, etc.:

   Heavy snow made the roads impassable.

2. unable to be surmounted:

   an impassable obstacle to further negotiations.

3. (of currency) unable to be circulated:

   He tore the bill in half, making it impassable.

impassable

/ ɪmˈpɑːsəbəl /

adjective

1. (of terrain, roads, etc) not able to be travelled through or over

Derived Forms

• imˈpassably, adverb
• imˌpassaˈbility, noun

Other Words From

• im·passa·bili·ty im·passa·ble·ness noun
• im·passa·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of impassable¹

First recorded in 1560–70; im- ² + passable

Example Sentences

The biggest hurdle here — literally in some cases — are the handful of root-busted, near impassable sidewalks.

From Los Angeles Times

Ocha said that since the rains began 15 major supply routes have been rendered impassable, affecting the delivery of essential humanitarian aid to some 500,000 people in different parts of the country.

From BBC

The canoes and kayaks continued upstream until the group reached an impassable spot where the river was cascading through rocks.

From Los Angeles Times

In some areas, entire communities were cut off as roads became impassable.

From BBC

Among the destruction is a hole in the middle of the city centre – the main road broken and impassable.

From BBC

Related Words

• impenetrable
• insurmountable