impregnable
1 Americanadjective
-
strong enough to resist or withstand attack; not to be taken by force, unconquerable.
an impregnable fort.
- Synonyms:
- invulnerable
- Antonyms:
- vulnerable
-
not to be overcome or overthrown.
an impregnable argument.
- Synonyms:
- unassailable
adjective
adjective
-
unable to be broken into or taken by force
an impregnable castle
-
unable to be shaken or overcome
impregnable self-confidence
-
incapable of being refuted
an impregnable argument
adjective
Related Words
See invincible.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
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
Explanation
When something is impregnable it is not easily taken by force and can stand up to any attack. We usually use it in reference to some form of protection, like a fort or a solid defensive line in football. The genealogy of the adjective impregnable includes the Middle French word prenable, meaning "vulnerable, easily conquered," which itself came from the verb prendre, which meant "to take." The addition of the negative prefix im- flipped the meaning. Impregnable can be used to describe anything that cannot be entered or successfully attacked. Seventeenth-century theater critic Jeremy Collier once said, "True courage is a result of reasoning. A brave mind is always impregnable."
Vocabulary lists containing impregnable
Power Suffix: -able
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1984
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Impregnable England At Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, Johnny Shugrue bumped his nose on Pal Moran's fist in the first round of their prospective twelve.
From Time Magazine Archive
Of chambers as the cedars— Impregnable of eye; And for an everlasting roof The gables of the sky.
From Time Magazine Archive
"Impregnable" Pantelleria, Benito Mussolini's Gibraltar in what he once called Mare Nostrum, was doomed.
From Time Magazine Archive
As it was found impossible to assist the Impregnable, Lord Exmouth sent on board Mr. Triscott, one of his aides-de-camp, with permission to haul off.
From The Life of Admiral Viscount Exmouth by Osler, Edward
She slipped from his arms, and Max, too deeply moved to speak, walked over to the window and looked out upon the frowning walls of Peronne the Impregnable.
From Yolanda: Maid of Burgundy by Major, Charles
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
