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Glite Dictionary
impregnable defense

impregnable defense

1 7.2
A defense that cannot be broken or defeated
  • noun
translation icon : defensa inexpugnable
  • The team's strategy relied on building an impregnable defense to frustrate their opponents.

Examples

  • He devised an impregnable defense against cyber attacks to safeguard company data.

  • The fortress was protected by an impregnable defense that withstood every assault.

  • The castle was protected by an impregnable defense.

  • Many believed the fortress had an impregnable defense system.

  • The fortress was known for its impregnable defense, making it impossible for enemies to conquer.

  • The team's strategy included building an impregnable defense that would prevent any goal from being scored.

  • With an impregnable defense, the castle stood resilient against sieges for centuries.

How Effective

impregnable defense
1 7.2
strong defense
  • US
3 3.9
defense
  • US
460 1.4
defenselessness
  • US
1 6.3

Surface Forms

impregnable defense singular
impregnable defenses plural

Morphology

impregnable + defense

The meaning is directly compositional: 'impregnable' (impossible to be overcome) modifies 'defense' (a means of protection), yielding 'a defense that cannot be breached or defeated.' This adjectival-noun combination follows a standard, cross-linguistic pattern, so a B1 learner who knows both constituent words would readily understand the MWE.

Etymology

The phrase impregnable defense paints a picture of a fortress with walls so strong that no enemy can get in. Here impregnable means 'cannot be taken' and defense is the protection around it. That's why the phrase is used today for a plan or protection that 'cannot be overcome'.