impregnable

¹

[im-preg-nuh-buhl]

adjective

1. strong enough to resist or withstand attack; not to be taken by force, unconquerable.

   an impregnable fort.

   Synonyms: invulnerable
   Antonyms: vulnerable

2. not to be overcome or overthrown.

   an impregnable argument.

   Synonyms: unassailable

impregnable

²

[im-preg-nuh-buhl]

adjective

1. susceptible to impregnation, as an egg.

impregnable

¹

/ ɪmˈprɛɡnəbəl /

adjective

1. unable to be broken into or taken by force

   an impregnable castle

2. unable to be shaken or overcome

   impregnable self-confidence

3. incapable of being refuted

   an impregnable argument

impregnable

²

/ ˌɪmprɛɡˈneɪtəbəl, ɪmˈprɛɡnəbəl /

adjective

1. able to be impregnated; fertile

Other Word Forms

• impregnability noun
• impregnableness noun
• impregnably adverb

Word History and Origins

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

impregn(ate) + -able

Word History and Origins

Origin of impregnable¹

C15 imprenable, from Old French, from _im- (not) + prenable able to be taken, from prendre to take

Synonym Study

See invincible.

Example Sentences

“It’s like hitting a bullet with a bullet,” someone says, crushing the naive notion of an impregnable “nuclear defense.”

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Victory would surely put them in an impregnable qualifying position, but there was a steely confidence about coach Stojkovic when he addressed the media, along with Milenkovic, here on Monday.

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Alcaraz was the outstanding player at Flushing Meadows, not dropping a set until the final, and was virtually impregnable on serve.

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Germany forces occupied the Channel Islands from 1940 until 1945 and, under Adolf Hitler's orders, turned the the islands into an "impregnable fortress".

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On the other hand, while politicians acknowledge the cost of the state pension triple lock is far higher than originally forecast, that policy seems to be utterly politically impregnable.

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Related Words

• fortified 
• impenetrable 
• indestructible 
• invincible 
• invulnerable 
• unassailable