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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This time around, that number is basically an impossibility, as linear television viewership has rapidly declined over the past two decades, even for sports. —Katie Campione, Deadline, 25 Oct. 2024 Hats off to Klay Kubiak or Shanahan (whoever made the call) after the Dobbs touchdown for going for two points, making overtime an impossibility. —Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2024 But getting back on the road there’s all this excitement, and then, so quickly, the anguish and weariness and impossibility of it set back in. —Amanda Petrusich, The New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2024 Many years and many breaches later, the winds have shifted and the industry has accepted the impossibility of preventing every possible negative outcome, instead embracing detection, response and resilience. —Bob Tinker, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for impossibility 

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

impossibilist

impossibility

impossible

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Impossibility.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impossibility. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

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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

Nglish: Translation of impossibility for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of impossibility for Arabic Speakers

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