|
|
- pronunciation:
- ihm
preg
n
bl
- features:
- Word Combinations (adjective), Word Parts
| part of speech: |
adjective |
| definition 1: |
able to withstand any attack, as a fortress.
The highly fortified castle was thought to be impregnable.- synonyms:
- indestructible, inviolable, invulnerable, tenable, unassailable
- antonyms:
- vulnerable
- similar words:
- imperishable, insurmountable, invincible, secure, solid, staunch, unconquerable
|
| definition 2: |
absolutely secure, as a point or position in a debate.
- synonyms:
- incontestable, indisputable, invulnerable, irrefutable, unconquerable
- antonyms:
- shaky, vulnerable
- similar words:
- absolute, certain, indomitable, invincible, undeniable, unquestionable
|
| related words: |
proof, safe, tenable |
adverb + (adj.)impregnable
almost, easily, nearly, once, previously, seemingly, supposedly, virtually
(adj.)impregnable
+ noun
barrier, base, church, defense, foot, fortification, fortress, line, majority, missile, network, position, rock, security, shield, spirit, sport, standard, vault, wall
|
| derivations: |
impregnably (adv.), impregnability (n.) |
The word impregnable
contains the following parts:
im-2
Latin
prefix
that means not, without
  More about this word part:
The prefix im-2 occurs in Latin loanwords. It is an assimilated form of in-2 used before roots beginning with the letter "m," "p," and "b." See in-2.
Example words:
imbalance, immaculate, immaterial, immature, immediate, immiscible, immobile, immodest, immortal, immovable, immune, immutable, impalpable, impartial, impassable, impatient, impeccable, impecunious, impenitent, imperfect, impermeable, impermissible, impersonal, imperturbable, impervious, implacable, implausible, impolite, imponderable, impossible, impotent, impregnable, improper, impropriety, improvise, imprudent, impudent, impunity, impure
-able, -ible, -ble
Latin
adjective-forming suffix
that means capable of being, doing, or undergoing
More about this word part:
The suffix -able
, and its variants, is attached to Latin verb roots or English transitive verbs to form adjectives. (In a small set of cases, -able
is attached to a noun, e.g. knowledgeable and marriageable.) For spelling purposes, it is useful to know that -able
is more likely to be added to a whole English word (comparable
, adorable
), while -ible
is more likely to follow a bound root (visible
, legible
). However,there are still many words which combine a root with -able
(capable
, inevitable
). The suffix -ity can be added to any adjective ending in -able
, -ible
, -ble
to produce a corresponding noun ending in -ability, -ibility, -bility (possible
+ -ity > possibility; irrevocable
+ -ity > irrevocability.)
Example words:
acceptable, accessible, admissible, adorable, amiable, amicable, audible, avoidable, believable, bearable, biodegradable, capable, calculable, cognizable, comparable, compatible, comprehensible, conformable, conversable, convertible, corrigible, credible, creditable, curable, dependable, despicable, disagreeable, disposable, divisible, eligible, explicable, flammable, flexible, illegible, illimitable, imaginable, immiscible, immovable, immutable, impalpable, impassable, impeccable, impermeable, impermissible, imperturbable, implacable, implausible, imponderable, impossible, impregnable, inalienable, inaudible, incapable, incalculable, incommunicable, incomprehensible, inconceivable, detectable, conceivable, incorrigible, incredible, incurable, indefeasible, indelible, indescribable, indestructible, indivisible, indomitable, ineligible, ineluctable, ineradicable, inescapable, inevitable, inexorable, inexpiable, inexplicable, infallible, inhospitable, inimitable, inscrutable, inseparable, insuperable, intangible, interminable, intractable, invaluable, invariable, invincible, invisible, irrefragable, irrefutable, irremissible, irreparable, irreversible, irrevocable, legible, likable, lovable, manageable, measurable, movable, navigable, notable, opposable, palpable, perishable, permissible, placable, portable, possible, potable, predictable, preferable, prescriptible, recognizable, remissible, reprehensible, reversible, risible, semipermeable, sensible, superable, susceptible, tangible, tenable, tolerable, tractable, transmissible, unsupportable, usable, viable, visible, washable, affordable, allowable, reliable, remarkable, approachable, disputable, drinkable, durable, eatable, renewable, sustainable, unshakable
|