impossible

[im-pos-uh-buhl]

adjective

1. not possible; unable to be, exist, happen, etc.

2. unable to be done, performed, effected, etc..

   an impossible assignment.

3. incapable of being true, as a rumor.

4. not to be done, endured, etc., with any degree of reason or propriety.

   an impossible situation.

5. utterly impracticable.

   an impossible plan.

6. hopelessly unsuitable, difficult, or objectionable.

   Synonyms: unmanageable, intolerable, unbearable

impossible

/ ɪmˈpɒsəbəl /

adjective

1. incapable of being done, undertaken, or experienced

2. incapable of occurring or happening

3. absurd or inconceivable; unreasonable

   it's impossible to think of him as a bishop

4. informal,  intolerable; outrageous

   those children are impossible

Other Word Forms

• impossibleness noun
• impossibly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of impossible¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English word from Latin word impossibilis. See im- ², possible

Example Sentences

Two Irish scientists have created a groundbreaking method for recovering fingerprints from fired bullet casings -- something long believed to be impossible.

Read more on Science Daily

His killing “makes it clear that even with political will, defeating the cartels at the municipal level is an impossible mission.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Roberts summoned him in a nearly impossible situation: two on, one out, with the score tied in the bottom of the ninth.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Filming these hunts proved impossible in the dark.

Read more on Science Daily

"It's impossible to get a job if you're being sued as part of a two billion dollar international tax fraud case," he says.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• absurd 
• futile 
• hopeless 
• impassable 
• impractical 
• inaccessible 
• inconceivable 
• insurmountable 
• preposterous 
• unattainable 
• unimaginable 
• unreasonable 
• unthinkable 
• unworkable 
• useless