insoluble
adjective
in·sol·u·ble (ˌ)in-ˈsäl-yə-bəl 
: not soluble: such as
a
: incapable of being dissolved in a liquid and especially water
also : soluble only with difficulty or to a slight degree
b
: having or admitting of no solution or explanation
an insoluble problem
c
archaic : indissoluble
insolubility
(ˌ)in-ˌsäl-yə-ˈbi-lə-tē
noun insoluble noun
insolubleness
(ˌ)in-ˈsäl-yə-bəl-nəs
noun insolubly
(ˌ)in-ˈsäl-yə-blē
adverb 
Synonyms
- hopeless
- impossible
- insolvable
- insuperable
- unattainable
- undoable
- unrealizable
- unsolvable
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
a substance insoluble in water the seemingly insoluble mystery concerning the identity of the people who built these ancient structures
Recent Examples on the Web But TiO2 is insoluble in water – meaning that it cannot be dissolved into smaller particles. 
Dr. Michael Daignault, USA TODAY, 12 Aug. 2022 Kidney beans also provide insoluble fibers called alpha-galactosides, whose side effects are the inspiration for that old childhood rhyme about beans. Cate Geiger Kalus, Country Living, 8 Aug. 2022 Caladiums contain insoluble calcium oxalates, which are toxic if consumed. Terri Robertson, Country Living, 1 Aug. 2022 Today, once again, Northern Ireland is back in crisis, stuck with an insoluble constitutional dilemma caused by Brexit in which everyone claims the Good Friday Agreement as proof of the righteousness of their side. Tom Mctague, The Atlantic, 26 July 2022 Since 1988, when the late King Hussein of Jordan renounced his country’s sovereignty claims in favor of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), the West Bank has presented Jordan with an insoluble conundrum. Shlomo Ben-ami, WSJ, 9 June 2022 The bulk provided by insoluble fiber and water-holding properties of soluble fiber can also enhance feelings of fullness. Marygrace Taylor, SELF, 30 Apr. 2022 Enter uranium oxide, an insoluble and thermally stable source of uranium that doesn’t conduct electricity. Courtney Linder, Popular Mechanics, 16 May 2022 But a full-scale peace agreement will be difficult to negotiate, in part because of those insoluble territorial disputes, Vershbow warned. Doyle Mcmanuswashington Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2022 See More
Dr. Michael Daignault, USA TODAY, 12 Aug. 2022 Kidney beans also provide insoluble fibers called alpha-galactosides, whose side effects are the inspiration for that old childhood rhyme about beans. Cate Geiger Kalus, Country Living, 8 Aug. 2022 Caladiums contain insoluble calcium oxalates, which are toxic if consumed. Terri Robertson, Country Living, 1 Aug. 2022 Today, once again, Northern Ireland is back in crisis, stuck with an insoluble constitutional dilemma caused by Brexit in which everyone claims the Good Friday Agreement as proof of the righteousness of their side. Tom Mctague, The Atlantic, 26 July 2022 Since 1988, when the late King Hussein of Jordan renounced his country’s sovereignty claims in favor of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), the West Bank has presented Jordan with an insoluble conundrum. Shlomo Ben-ami, WSJ, 9 June 2022 The bulk provided by insoluble fiber and water-holding properties of soluble fiber can also enhance feelings of fullness. Marygrace Taylor, SELF, 30 Apr. 2022 Enter uranium oxide, an insoluble and thermally stable source of uranium that doesn’t conduct electricity. Courtney Linder, Popular Mechanics, 16 May 2022 But a full-scale peace agreement will be difficult to negotiate, in part because of those insoluble territorial disputes, Vershbow warned. Doyle Mcmanuswashington Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English insolible, from Latin insolubilis, from in- + solvere to free, dissolve — more at solve
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
insoluble
adjective
in·sol·u·ble in-ˈsäl-yə-bəl
1
: having no solution or explanation
an insoluble problem
2
: difficult or impossible to dissolve
insoluble in water
Medical Definition
insoluble
adjective
in·sol·u·ble (ˈ)in-ˈsäl-yə-bəl
: incapable of being dissolved in a liquid
also : soluble only with difficulty or to a slight degree
insoluble
adjective
as in impossible
incapable of being solved or accomplished the seemingly insoluble mystery concerning the identity of the people who built these ancient structures Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- impossible
- hopeless
- unsolvable
- insolvable
- unlikely
- problematic
- problematical
- insuperable
- futile
- unrealizable
- unattainable
- impractical
- undoable
- useless
- unworkable
- impracticable
- unusable
- absurd
- incredible
- infeasible
- disputable
- questionable
- suspect
- dubious
- improbable
- inconceivable
- debatable
- unfeasible
- implausible
- fishy
- suspicious
- unthinkable
- unimaginable
- shaky
- unbelievable
- doubtful
- ridiculous
- doubtable
- fantastical
- far-fetched
- outlandish
- preposterous
- shady
- fantastic
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- soluble
- possible
- feasible
- workable
- practical
- achievable
- attainable
- useful
- applicable
- functional
- resolvable
- reasonable
- usable
- practicable
- working
- probable
- realizable
- serviceable
- likely
- doable
- useable
- acceptable
- plausible
- conceivable
- credible
- believable