impalpable
Cannot be felt
Impalpable describes what cannot be felt by touch—too fine, slight, or insubstantial to perceive physically: an impalpable mist, impalpable powder.
By extension, it applies to things difficult to grasp mentally: an impalpable sense of dread, The difference between them was impalpable.
The word suggests something real but elusive, hovering just beyond perception or understanding.
Lacking physical form; unimportant
- incorporealNot made of matter
- insubstantialLacking physical or material substance
- nonphysicalNot of matter
- bodilessLacking a physical form
formless · ungraspable · untouchable · weightless · substanceless · disembodied · amorphous · nebulous
Impossible to notice
- indiscernibleUnable to be perceived
- invisibleCannot be seen
- unnoticeableNot readily perceived
- inappreciableToo slight to measure
insensible · subliminal · microscopic · infinitesimal · unperceivable · unfelt · senseless
Weak and indistinct
- delicateEasily broken or harmed
- slightMinor or thin
- fineAcceptable in quality
- tenuousLacking solid foundation
nuanced · gentle · soft · elusive · gossamer · wispy · featherlight · filmy
Resembling a specter
- spectralGhostlike or wavelength-related
- phantasmalLike an apparition
- wraithlikeResembling a ghost
- vaporousLike a gas, diffuse
airy · otherworldly · transcendent · celestial · spiritual · supernatural · unearthly · dreamlike
immaterial
Lacking physical form; unimportant
- incorporealNot made of matter
- insubstantialLacking physical or material substance
- nonphysicalNot of matter
bodiless · formless · ungraspable · untouchable · weightless · substanceless · disembodied · amorphous · nebulous · indefinite
undetectable
Impossible to notice
- indiscernibleUnable to be perceived
- invisibleCannot be seen
- unnoticeableNot readily perceived
inappreciable · insensible · subliminal · microscopic · infinitesimal · unperceivable · unfelt · senseless
faint
Weak and indistinct
tenuous · nuanced · gentle · soft · elusive · gossamer · wispy · featherlight · filmy · diaphanous
ghostly
Resembling a specter
- spectralGhostlike or wavelength-related
- phantasmalLike an apparition
- wraithlikeResembling a ghost
vaporous · airy · otherworldly · transcendent · celestial · spiritual · supernatural · unearthly · dreamlike · illusory
impalpablepalpable
Perceptible to touch or senses
tangible · touchable · solid · substantial · physical
impalpableperceptible
Able to be sensed
discernible · detectable · observable · noticeable · evident
impalpableunderstandable
Able to be grasped
comprehensible · graspable · fathomable · intelligible · clear
palpable, palpitate, palpitation, palpably, palpate, palpation, palpability