impenetrably
1
8.9
- adverb
- /ɪmˈpɛnɪtrəbli/
- Unfortunately, you sometimes use that misunderstanding as a jumping point to be impenetrably obtuse.
- impenetrably dark
- impenetrably black
Examples
-
And anyway, they will have become impenetrably quiet and regretful.
Fiction book (1994) -
As the '80s faded into the past, Prince followed his muse straight off the charts, culminating in a series of impenetrably "spiritual" jazz-fusion records.
Blog text (17) -
And I know they went through so much trouble to make it completely and utterly impenetrably dark in here, but let's not do this again.
-
From the depths of a warm, impenetrably dark sea, Harry sensed himself rise.
Fiction book (1995) -
Better: the invention of metaphysics blew his mind, the idea that everyone experiences life solely, uniquely, impenetrably from their own point of view.
-
Plainview is also impenetrably amoral, a man of few sympathies, and consequently the viewer has none in return for his character.
Blog text (25) -
In the morning, the Swahili island's possibilities had retreated behind its impenetrably quaint historic facade, and she was a typical tourist again.
Fiction book (1990) -
Often the lights are too murky or they come from the side, leaving half a face in impenetrably deep shadows; eye sockets become blank inky caverns.
Blog text (1) -
It was so late at night that the forest became impenetrably dark, making it hard to see anything.
-
When the storm hit, the sky turned impenetrably dark, blocking out the stars.
Synonyms
2
8.0
It is very hard to understand
1
9.6
In a way that hides what someone feels and is hard to understand
1
8.1
So hard to reach that few people can get to it
1
9.9
In a way that no one can defeat or capture
1
8.5
So unclear that people cannot read or understand it
1
8.2
In a way that does not let anything pass through or affect it
1
8.1
So blocked or dangerous that nothing can pass through
Antonyms
How Penetrable
Surface Forms
Morphology
impenetrably = impenetrable (transparent) = im + penetrate + able + ly
Formed by adding the adverbial suffix '-ly' to the adjective 'impenetrable', a standard and predictable derivation.
Etymology
Impenetrably starts with im- meaning 'not' and the part penetrate meaning 'to go into', so think of a wall or thick fog you cannot get through. That's why something described as impenetrably is 'not able to be entered or understood', like a very hard book or a valley full of fog.