IMPOSSIBLE Synonyms: 70 Similar and Opposite Words

impossible

adjective

(ˌ)im-ˈpä-sə-bəl

Definition of impossible

as in unlikely

incapable of being solved or accomplished the seemingly impossible problem of world hunger fitting everything in my backpack seemed an impossible task

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of impossible But director Darin Stewart and producer Simone Ferretti stressed that these generative models democratize filmmaking, giving any creator access to shoot things that would be impossible outside a Christopher Nolan epic. — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 16 Oct. 2026 Instead, they are designed for environments where replacing a battery is impossible, prohibitively expensive, or life-threatening. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026 Jenn Singer, founder of the namesake gallery in NYC, says that attributing a dollar value to the artwork by Haring is almost impossible. — Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026 But because documentaries are, for now, made by humans and not robots, pure objectivity is impossible. — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for impossible

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impossible

Adjective

Despite the hefty reservation payments, the Roadster is unlikely to become a major revenue source for Tesla.

— Bilin Lin, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
The deal was therefore unlikely to meaningfully strengthen Russia's war finances, Aleksashenko said.

— Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of unlikely

Adjective

Pettus said watching Patterson's progress and seeing her family in a home of their own has been especially meaningful after a period that once seemed hopeless.

— Jennifer Bisram, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
Approximately 18% of all Latino high school students have seriously contemplated suicide and 42% of Latino youths reported constantly feeling sad or hopeless, recent congressional studies found.

— Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of hopeless

Adjective

Winds across the San Joaquin Valley floor could gust 15-20 mph at times Thursday and Friday, with the majority of more problematic winds reserved for the Sierra foothills.

— Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2026
Paul Robeson’s films from the 1930s are sometimes problematic and can pander to colonial ideas about Black people.

— Zac Ntim, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of problematic

Adjective

Wearing impractical stilettos and clutching a massive Stanley cup, Trina is introduced to her new pupils.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
Their potential applications include modeling advanced materials and chemical reactions, optimizing complex logistics networks and addressing some computational problems that are impractical for today’s systems.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of impractical

Adjective

Adelaide’s music had become an argument, however futile, with finality.

— Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2026
Before the court fight was launched, Edwin Benn, the arbitrator who oversaw 2023 contract negotiations between the city and FOP, warned the City Council that any attempt to undermine his award to the union would be futile.

— Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of futile

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impossible

impossibly

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“Impossible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impossible. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of impossible

adjective

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