Impassable

/ɪmˈpæsəbl/

Meaning & Definition

adjective

Impassable means incapable of being traversed or crossed.

After the heavy snowfall, many roads became impassable for vehicles.

Impassable can also refer to a situation that is not able to be overcome or passed through.

The negotiations reached an impassable deadlock, and both parties had to walk away.

Impassable may describe obstacles that prevent any passage.

The river had risen so high that it created an impassable barrier between the two towns.

Derived from French 'impassable' and Latin 'impassabilis', meaning 'not allowing passage.'

impassable barrier

A barrier that cannot be crossed or overcome.

impassable road

A road that is blocked or cannot be traveled on.

impasse

a situation in which no progress is possible, especially because of disagreement.

passable

capable of being passed, traversed, or crossed.

Beyond reach or impossible to navigate.

After that storm, the roads were totally impassable, bro!

So blocked that there's no way through.

Dude, that alley was impassable; we had to turn back.