imperceptible
Escaping all notice
Imperceptible means too slight or gradual to be noticed or detected by the senses.
An imperceptible change happens so slowly you don't see it occurring: The glacier's movement was imperceptible to the naked eye.
The word often describes subtle shifts—imperceptible differences, imperceptible movements.
Something imperceptible may still be real; it simply falls below the threshold of awareness.
Weak and indistinct
- slightMinor or thin
- nuancedHaving fine distinctions
- delicateEasily broken or harmed
- gentleSoft and kind
soft · indistinct · tenuous · wispy · muted · understated · subdued · hint
Not perceived visually
- hiddenKept out of sight
- undetectableImpossible to notice
- indiscernibleUnable to be perceived
- unnoticeableNot readily perceived
unobservable · unapparent · latent · covert · veiled · masked · camouflaged · obscured
Too small for eyes
- infinitesimalQuantity approaching zero
- minuteSixtieth of an hour
- tinyExtremely small in size
- atomicOf elemental particles
nano · subatomic · molecular · microbial · granular · particulate · trace · vanishing
Lacking physical form; unimportant
- incorporealNot made of matter
- impalpableUnable to be touched
- ungraspableImpossible to seize
- elusiveHard to find
abstract · insubstantial · weightless · formless · vaporous · ethereal
Producing no audible noise
- silentProducing no sound
- noiselessProducing no sound
- hushedReduced to silence
- muffledMade quieter, less distinct
ultrasonic · infrasonic · subaudible · whispered · unhearable
Proceeding by small additions
- progressiveFavoring reform and innovation
- slowLacking in speed
- steadyFixed, not fluctuating
- cumulativeIncreasing by successive additions
evolutionary · creeping · insidious · glacial · inexorable · measured · protracted · continuous
faint
Weak and indistinct
gentle · soft · indistinct · tenuous · wispy · muted · understated · subdued · hint · trace
unseen
Not perceived visually
- hiddenKept out of sight
- undetectableImpossible to notice
- indiscernibleUnable to be perceived
unnoticeable · unobservable · unapparent · latent · covert · veiled · masked · camouflaged · obscured · concealed
microscopic
Too small for eyes
- infinitesimalQuantity approaching zero
- minuteSixtieth of an hour
- tinyExtremely small in size
atomic · nano · subatomic · molecular · microbial · granular · particulate · trace · vanishing · negligible
immaterial
Lacking physical form; unimportant
- incorporealNot made of matter
- impalpableUnable to be touched
- ungraspableImpossible to seize
elusive · abstract · insubstantial · weightless · formless · vaporous · ethereal
soundless
Producing no audible noise
muffled · ultrasonic · infrasonic · subaudible · whispered · unhearable
incremental
Proceeding by small additions
- progressiveFavoring reform and innovation
- slowLacking in speed
- steadyFixed, not fluctuating
cumulative · evolutionary · creeping · insidious · glacial · inexorable · measured · protracted · continuous · bit-by-bit
imperceptibleperceptible
Able to be sensed
detectable · noticeable · perceivable · discernible · observable