impossibilities
Things that can't
Impossibilities are things that cannot happen or exist.
The word often appears in discussions of logic, physics, or practical constraints: The plan was riddled with impossibilities.
What counts as impossible depends on context—logical impossibilities violate the laws of thought, while practical impossibilities merely exceed current capabilities.
The phrase attempting the impossible treats impossibility as a challenge rather than a barrier.
Fundamental rules of nature
- absolutesUnconditional, unqualified things
- paradoxesSeemingly self-refuting statements
- contradictionsLogically incompatible assertions
- logical fallaciesDefects in reasoning structure
zero gravity · perpetual motion · dividing by zero · absolute zero
Supernatural or illusory power
- mythologyBody of traditional tales
- unicornsMythical one-horned equines
- dragonsMythical fire-breathing reptiles
- fairytalesMagical stories for children
sorcery · enchantment · wizardry · alchemy · flying pigs · perpetual motion · time travel · teleportation
Things blocking access
- roadblocksObstructions blocking forward movement
- impedimentsThings that obstruct progress
- stumbling blocksObstacles preventing progress
- bottlenecksConstrictions that impede flow
hurdles · blockades · dead ends · brick walls · snags · logjams · gridlock · standstills
Fanciful, unattainable notions
- lost causesEndeavors beyond saving
- wild goose chasesHopeless, pointless pursuits
- moonshotsAudaciously ambitious endeavors
- castles in the airFanciful, impractical schemes
unreachables · unworkables · non-starters · impracticables · fool's gold
physical laws
Fundamental rules of nature
- absolutesUnconditional, unqualified things
- paradoxesSeemingly self-refuting statements
- contradictionsLogically incompatible assertions
logical fallacies · zero gravity · perpetual motion · dividing by zero · absolute zero
magic
Supernatural or illusory power
- mythologyBody of traditional tales
- unicornsMythical one-horned equines
- dragonsMythical fire-breathing reptiles
fairytales · sorcery · enchantment · wizardry · alchemy · flying pigs · perpetual motion · time travel · teleportation · immortality
barriers
Things blocking access
- roadblocksObstructions blocking forward movement
- impedimentsThings that obstruct progress
- stumbling blocksObstacles preventing progress
bottlenecks · hurdles · blockades · dead ends · brick walls · snags · logjams · gridlock · standstills · deadlocks
pipe dreams
Fanciful, unattainable notions
- lost causesEndeavors beyond saving
- wild goose chasesHopeless, pointless pursuits
- moonshotsAudaciously ambitious endeavors
castles in the air · unreachables · unworkables · non-starters · impracticables · fool's gold
- Unrealitiesdreams, illusions, fantasies, hallucinations, delusions
impossibilitiespossibilities
Things that may occur
feasibilities · practicabilities · viabilities · potentialities · opportunities
impossibilitiescertainties
Assured truths
probabilities · likelihoods · inevitabilities · sureties · guarantees
impossibilitiesnecessities
What you cannot lack
certainties · actualities · realities · possibilities · probabilities
possible, impossible, possibly, possibility, impossibly, impossibility, possibilities, impossibles