insoluble

adjective

in·​sol·​u·​ble (ˌ)in-ˈsäl-yə-bəl How to pronounce insoluble (audio)
: not soluble: such as
a
: incapable of being dissolved in a liquid and especially water
also : soluble only with difficulty or to a slight degree
b
: having or admitting of no solution or explanation
an insoluble problem
c
archaic : indissoluble
insoluble noun
insolubleness noun
insolubly adverb

Examples of insoluble in a Sentence

a substance insoluble in water the seemingly insoluble mystery concerning the identity of the people who built these ancient structures
Recent Examples on the Web Beyond those differences, several major disagreements between the two countries are probably insoluble in the foreseeable future. Doyle McManus, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2023 This resulting low pH environment caused insoluble phosphate-containing minerals to dissolve and release the phosphorus in them, increasing phosphorus availability for the plants. Fox News, 9 Nov. 2023 Li says that the insoluble components of such rocks could be separated and buried for carbon sequestration, while the soluble potassium and sodium bicarbonates could be converted in their electrolyzer to metal-formate fuels. IEEE Spectrum, 7 Nov. 2023 If artistry is a birthright, then so too is the ability to grapple with what’s complex, ambivalent, and insoluble. Sara Holdren, Vulture, 30 Aug. 2023 Fabrics tend to collect smoke particles or resin, which is the sticky insoluble residue that builds up on smoking devices. Sophia Solano, Washington Post, 6 July 2023 Soluble fiber also slows digestion and absorption of carbohydrates and helps lower cholesterol and blood sugar more effectively than insoluble fiber.23 Below are five scoops worth trying the next time a craving strikes. Julie Upton, Health, 5 July 2023 At this stage, Erdogan and Putin have an increasingly insoluble bond. Soner Cagaptay, Foreign Affairs, 29 May 2023 The sap created insoluble crystalline structures (similar to those found on the shells of mollusks) that were well-suited to surviving the hot and humid climate of central America. Darren Orf, Popular Mechanics, 2 May 2023

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

Word History

Etymology

Middle English insolible, from Latin insolubilis, from in- + solvere to free, dissolve — more at solve

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near insoluble

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

insoluble

adjective
in·​sol·​u·​ble (ˈ)in-ˈsäl-yə-bəl How to pronounce insoluble (audio)
1
: impossible to solve
an insoluble problem
2
: impossible or difficult to dissolve
a substance insoluble in water

Medical Definition

insoluble

adjective
in·​sol·​u·​ble (ˈ)in-ˈsäl-yə-bəl How to pronounce insoluble (audio)
: incapable of being dissolved in a liquid
also : soluble only with difficulty or to a slight degree

More from Merriam-Webster on insoluble

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