Master confusing words with ease
Impassable vs. Impassible
Impassable
/ɪmˈpɑːsəbəl/Examples:
The mountain pass became impassable due to heavy snow.Thick mud turned the rural road into an impassable path.Floodwaters rendered the bridge completely impassable.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Impassible
/æmˈpɑːs/Examples:
His face was impassible, betraying no emotion.The judge remained impassible throughout the trial.Despite the chaos, she stayed impassible and calm.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Ways to tell them apart:
- Impassable refers to a physical barrier that cannot be crossed. Think of roads blocked by snow or mudslides.
- Impassible is more about emotional states, meaning someone who doesn't experience or show feelings.
- Remember: Impassable is for roads or paths, while impassible is for people or emotions.
- Both words share the root pass, but their endings -able and -ible hint at different meanings.
- Think Impassable = not passable (concrete, physical) and Impassible = not feeling (abstract, emotional).
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