impermeable
adjective
im·per·me·able (ˌ)im-ˈpər-mē-ə-bəl 
: not permitting passage (as of a fluid) through its substance
broadly : impervious
impermeability
(ˌ)im-ˌpər-mē-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē
noun 
Synonyms
- impassable
- impassible
- impenetrable
- impervious
- impregnable
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
an impermeable layer of rock a fabric impermeable to moisture
Recent Examples on the Web Lopez said the company plans to construct all buildings and impermeable infrastructure on higher ground, to avoid disturbing the wetlands. 
Drew Kann, ajc, 18 Aug. 2022 Next, cover the affected ground with impermeable plastic to solarize the roots and deprive them of sun and water. BostonGlobe.com, 14 Aug. 2022 One possible way to extend the functionality of the gripper would be to apply a thin layer of vapor-impermeable coating. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 29 July 2022 In reality, water creeps along as a broad flow through permeable materials, its path shifted by things like faults and hard, impermeable rock, like granite. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 23 Mar. 2022 They’re structured with layers upon layers of cooling wires, heavy metal rings, an impermeable outer shell, utility gauges and instruments. Carolyn Giardina, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Apr. 2022 Its goal: prove that the sandstone layers can hold carbon, and that the cap rock just above them is impermeable enough to keep it from escaping. Christa Case Bryant, The Christian Science Monitor, 15 Apr. 2022 If the pandemic has shown us anything about work life and home life, it’s that the two aren’t separate spheres, divided by an impermeable wall. Cassie Werber, Quartz, 25 Feb. 2022 Once closer to the surface, the hot water often ran into a cap of impermeable volcanic deposits. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 23 Mar. 2022 See More
Drew Kann, ajc, 18 Aug. 2022 Next, cover the affected ground with impermeable plastic to solarize the roots and deprive them of sun and water. BostonGlobe.com, 14 Aug. 2022 One possible way to extend the functionality of the gripper would be to apply a thin layer of vapor-impermeable coating. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 29 July 2022 In reality, water creeps along as a broad flow through permeable materials, its path shifted by things like faults and hard, impermeable rock, like granite. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 23 Mar. 2022 They’re structured with layers upon layers of cooling wires, heavy metal rings, an impermeable outer shell, utility gauges and instruments. Carolyn Giardina, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Apr. 2022 Its goal: prove that the sandstone layers can hold carbon, and that the cap rock just above them is impermeable enough to keep it from escaping. Christa Case Bryant, The Christian Science Monitor, 15 Apr. 2022 If the pandemic has shown us anything about work life and home life, it’s that the two aren’t separate spheres, divided by an impermeable wall. Cassie Werber, Quartz, 25 Feb. 2022 Once closer to the surface, the hot water often ran into a cap of impermeable volcanic deposits. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 23 Mar. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Late Latin impermeabilis, from Latin in- + Late Latin permeabilis permeable
First Known Use
1661, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
impermeable
adjective
im·per·me·able (ˈ)im-ˈpər-mē-ə-bəl
: not permitting passage (as of a fluid) through its substance
the plasma membrane of a red blood cell is relatively impermeable to sodium and calcium ions
impermeable
adjective
1
as in dense
impossible to get through or into the wall of security people surrounding the rock band was impermeable Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- dense
- impervious
- impenetrable
- thick
- impassable
- impregnable
- sturdy
- close
- impassible
- compact
- tight
- compressed
- substantial
- solid
- frozen
- rigid
- condensed
- tough
- hard
- inflexible
- stiff
- unyielding
- firm
- unbending
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- permeable
- soft
- negotiable
- passable
- penetrable
- elastic
- flexible
- porous
- giving
- malleable
- pliable
- yielding
- absorbent
- squishy
- bendable
2
as in impervious
not allowing penetration (as by gas, liquid, or light) an impermeable seal on the ancient tomb had preserved the artifacts exceptionally well Synonyms & Similar Words
- impervious
- tight
- impenetrable
- thick
- dense
- watertight
- close
- airtight
- leakproof
- hermetic
- compact
- waterproof
- snug
- lightproof
- soundproof
- hermetical
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- permeable
- porous
- pervious
- penetrable
- absorbent
- leaky
- unsealed