impossibility

noun

im·​pos·​si·​bil·​i·​ty (ˌ)im-ˌpä-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce impossibility (audio)
1
: the quality or state of being impossible
2
: something impossible

Examples of impossibility in a Sentence

The blizzard made travel an impossibility. the impossibility of knowing what the future will bring
Recent Examples on the Web Prior to 2012, most fans felt a Beach Boys reunion tour with Brian was an impossibility. Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 19 Feb. 2024 Given this impossibility, bitcoin’s predictable and unchangeable supply schedule is surely better than the current discretionary regime. Korok Ray, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2024 Some ships even broadcasted signals showing them on land and moving at high speeds, a physical impossibility. Christiaan Triebert, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2024 Outside of natural gas, however, all the trends in US generation are good, especially considering that the rise of renewable production would have seemed like an impossibility a decade ago. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 28 Dec. 2023 The lack of electricity and fuel and the impossibility of moving around safely have compounded the challenges of producing food or getting it to people. Stephanie Nolen, New York Times, 11 Jan. 2024 Israel also needs to stop expanding settlements and crack down hard on settler violence, both of which are political impossibilities given the current Israeli governing coalition. Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 4 Jan. 2024 And yet, the thought of owning a home in Los Angeles was an impossibility to him. Alena Botros, Fortune, 31 Dec. 2023 Homendy was skeptical of that explanation, saying agencies and industries frequently respond to NTSB recommendations by citing the impossibility of their requests — until additional carnage forces their hand. Jeremy B. Merrill, Washington Post, 10 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'impossibility.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of impossibility was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near impossibility

Cite this Entry

“Impossibility.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impossibility. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

impossibility

noun
im·​pos·​si·​bil·​i·​ty (ˌ)im-ˌpäs-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē How to pronounce impossibility (audio)
plural impossibilities
1
: the quality or state of being impossible
2
: something impossible

Legal Definition

impossibility

noun
im·​pos·​si·​bil·​i·​ty
plural impossibilities
1
: the quality or state of being impossible
also : the affirmative defense that something (as performance) is impossible
2
: something impossible
3
: impossibility of performance in this entry
factual impossibility
: impossibility based on factual circumstances
specifically : a partial defense to criminal liability based on the incompletion of an intended criminal act

Note: Factual impossibility is not a complete defense and does allow prosecution for attempt or for another inchoate offense. For example, if the defendant constructed a bomb that failed to explode, factual impossibility would be a defense against murder charges, but not attempted murder.

impossibility of performance
: a doctrine in contract law that a party may be released from liability for breach of contract for failing to perform an obligation that is rendered impossible by uncontrollable circumstances (as death or failure of the means of delivery)
: a defense to breach of contract or a basis for release from contractual obligations because of impossibility of performance compare frustration, impracticability
legal impossibility
: impossibility based on or with reference to a law
specifically : a complete defense to criminal liability based on the commitment of acts that are not criminal or illegal

Note: Legal impossibility is founded on the principle that an act is not a crime unless there is a law prohibiting it.

More from Merriam-Webster on impossibility

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