impossible

[ im-pos-uh-buhl ]

adjective

1. not possible; unable to be, exist, happen, etc.
2. unable to be done, performed, effected, etc.:

   an impossible assignment.

3. incapable of being true, as a rumor.
4. not to be done, endured, etc., with any degree of reason or propriety:

   an impossible situation.

5. utterly impracticable:

   an impossible plan.

6. hopelessly unsuitable, difficult, or objectionable.

   Synonyms: unmanageable, intolerable, unbearable

impossible

/ ɪmˈpɒsəbəl /

adjective

1. incapable of being done, undertaken, or experienced
2. incapable of occurring or happening
3. absurd or inconceivable; unreasonable

   it's impossible to think of him as a bishop

4. informal.
   intolerable; outrageous

   those children are impossible

Derived Forms

• imˈpossibly, adverb
• imˈpossibleness, noun

Other Words From

• im·possi·ble·ness noun
• im·possi·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of impossible¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English word from Latin word impossibilis. See im- ², possible

Example Sentences

She said it was “impossible to protest in an authoritarian state”, adding that this is why the rally was so crucial.

From BBC

Some, like the village of Badswat in the neighbouring district of Ghizer, are in such peril they are being evacuated entirely to relative safety, their homes rendered impossible to live in.

From BBC

"This unusual behavior with locally occurring stretching and compression is impossible in conventional materials," said Jonathan Schneider of APH, another co-author.

From Science Daily

They will take measures to stop drugs getting into venues and arrest anyone supplying drugs, but most accept it's impossible to stop people from taking them completely.

From BBC

This was Bellingham at his best, almost impossible to control with his movement, troubling Greece with his range of passing while also embarking on constant surged into areas of danger.

From BBC

Related Words

• absurd
• futile
• hopeless
• impassable
• impractical
• inaccessible
• inconceivable
• insurmountable
• preposterous
• unattainable
• unimaginable
• unreasonable
• unthinkable
• unworkable
• useless