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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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 Calculating the exact number of artists in the city is nearly impossible, according to Sacramento Public Arts Commissioner Donald Gensler. — Tania Azhang, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026 The 2008 financial crisis made this transparency problem impossible to ignore. — Stuart Robertson, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026 Aylo argues that the requirement is impossible to meet because there’s no surefire way to determine a VPN user's location. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 2 Oct. 2026 For his opening-night program, Garcia will place Opus Jazz immediately after George Balanchine’s virtuosic Allegro Brillante, making the temperature shift almost impossible to miss. — Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for impossible

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impossible

Adjective

The political situation in the United States may have made the prospect of an American pope seem even more unlikely.

— Scott Detrow, NPR, 3 Oct. 2026
The Justice Department argued the outlets are unlikely to succeed on their claims and urged Kelly to deny their request for a preliminary injunction.

— Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of unlikely

Adjective

Johnston, who made his breakout performance as the toxically hopeless romantic Bear in Curry Barker’s Obsession, has most recently been in talks to join Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz in the upcoming fourth installment of The Mummy.

— Glenn Garner, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
For all the apocalyptic overtones in the film, Gibney doesn’t want audiences to come away feeling hopeless.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of hopeless

Adjective

That can become especially problematic after retirement, when income may be more limited and unexpected expenses could otherwise push card balances higher.

— Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026
There was a palpable sense of everything crumbling around you in terms of the culture, and even social interaction became problematic.

— Shaad D’Souza, Pitchfork, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of problematic

Adjective

Nonlinear editing changed how films are cut; digital cinematography changed how they are shot and reviewed; visual effects and virtual production made once-impractical images possible.

— Partner Content, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026
That would be impractical in Soho and unthinkable in Times Square.

— Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of impractical

Adjective

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
It’s also brilliantly written as a futile, pathetic rebellion by men with zero agency or purpose in their own lives.

— Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of futile

Browse Nearby Words

impositions

impossible

impossibly

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Impossible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impossible. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of impossible

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

inscrutable

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes