impregnable

¹

[ im-preg-nuh-buhl ]

adjective

1. strong enough to resist or withstand attack; not to be taken by force, unconquerable:

   an impregnable fort.

   Synonyms: invulnerable

   Antonyms: vulnerable

2. not to be overcome or overthrown:

   an impregnable argument.

   Synonyms: unassailable

impregnable

²

[ im-preg-nuh-buhl ]

adjective

1. susceptible to impregnation, as an egg.

impregnable

¹

/ ˌɪmprɛɡˈneɪtəbəl; ɪmˈprɛɡnəbəl /

adjective

1. able to be impregnated; fertile

impregnable

²

/ ɪmˈprɛɡnəbəl /

adjective

1. unable to be broken into or taken by force

   an impregnable castle

2. unable to be shaken or overcome

   impregnable self-confidence

3. incapable of being refuted

   an impregnable argument

Derived Forms

• imˈpregnably, adverb
• imˌpregnaˈbility, noun

Other Words From

• im·pregna·bili·ty im·pregna·ble·ness noun
• im·pregna·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of impregnable¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English impregnable, imprenable, from Middle French, equivalent to im- im- ² + prenable pregnable

Origin of impregnable²

impregn(ate) + -able

Word History and Origins

Origin of impregnable¹

C15 imprenable, from Old French, from im- (not) + prenable able to be taken, from prendre to take

Synonym Study

See invincible.

Example Sentences

Their 416 in the first innings was a good total, though their wastefulness prevented it from being impregnable.

From BBC

In these moments, Amewudah-Rivers — who is making her West End debut — displays an impregnable abstractedness that rings true to the stubborn determination of adolescence.

From New York Times

Look, when we play well, when we get it right, it is kind of unbelievable to watch - when we play cohesively and we have got our first-choice back four, they are just impregnable, and when the midfield are back with them, playing like Moyes wants them to play, then nothing gets past us and we are going to win that game - we saw it when we beat Arsenal before Christmas.

From BBC

But most of that was the result of the club being impregnable on the defensive side of the ball.

From Seattle Times

The most impactful of these measures was the foundation of Messene, an impregnable city for the Helots right on Sparta’s doorstep.

From Slate

Related Words

• fortified
• impenetrable
• indestructible
• invincible
• invulnerable
• unassailable