impossibility
State beyond achievement
Impossibility is the state of being impossible—something that cannot exist, happen, or be done.
The word often describes tasks or conditions that exceed human capability or violate natural law: Traveling faster than light is a physical impossibility.
It also names specific things deemed impossible: You're asking for an impossibility.
Usage ranges from literal to hyperbolic: Getting him to apologize is a near impossibility.
Not capable of execution
- unworkableImpossible to execute
- impracticableImpossible to implement
- unachievableCannot be accomplished
- insurmountableImpossible to overcome
unattainable · unrealizable · undoable · unviable · inaccessible · unobtainable · unrealistic · impractical
Too terrible to contemplate
- inconceivableBeyond mental grasp
- unimaginableBeyond mental conception
- absurdWildly illogical
- paradoxSeemingly absurd truth
contradiction · preposterous · ludicrous · illogical · irrational · nonsensical · self-defeating · circular
State without hope
- futilityLack of purpose
- resignationVoluntary relinquishment of position
- defeatismAcceptance of inevitable failure
- surrenderCease resistance, yield
despondency · helplessness · discouragement · dismay · fatalism · defeat · lost cause · giving up
Something blocking the way
- impedimentThing that obstructs progress
- hindranceBarrier to progress
- blockadeSealing off a place
- constraintLimiting condition or rule
limitation · hurdle · roadblock · stumbling block · bottleneck · obstruction · restriction · deterrent
Not allowed
- bannedOfficially disallowed
- prohibitedOfficially not permitted
- disallowedOfficially not permitted
- proscribedFormally forbidden by authority
vetoed · unauthorized · off-limits · taboo · impermissible · barred · blocked · precluded
unfeasible
Not capable of execution
- unworkableImpossible to execute
- impracticableImpossible to implement
- unachievableCannot be accomplished
insurmountable · unattainable · unrealizable · undoable · unviable · inaccessible · unobtainable · unrealistic · impractical · inoperable
unthinkable
Too terrible to contemplate
- inconceivableBeyond mental grasp
- unimaginableBeyond mental conception
- absurdWildly illogical
paradox · contradiction · preposterous · ludicrous · illogical · irrational · nonsensical · self-defeating · circular · oxymoron
hopelessness
State without hope
- futilityLack of purpose
- resignationVoluntary relinquishment of position
- defeatismAcceptance of inevitable failure
surrender · despondency · helplessness · discouragement · dismay · fatalism · defeat · lost cause · giving up · abandonment
obstacle
Something blocking the way
- impedimentThing that obstructs progress
- hindranceBarrier to progress
- blockadeSealing off a place
constraint · limitation · hurdle · roadblock · stumbling block · bottleneck · obstruction · restriction · deterrent · wall
forbidden
Not allowed
- bannedOfficially disallowed
- prohibitedOfficially not permitted
- disallowedOfficially not permitted
proscribed · vetoed · unauthorized · off-limits · taboo · impermissible · barred · blocked · precluded · restricted
- possibilitieschance, likelihood, probability, odds, prospect
- unbelievableunbelievable, incredible, inconceivable, implausible, unthinkable
- contract lawobligation, performance, capacity, breach, contract terms
- contract dischargedischarge, novation, rescission, termination, performance
- inchoate crimesattempt, conspiracy, solicitation, incitement, criminal conspiracy
- legal defensesself-defense, alibi, affirmative defense, insanity defense, insanity
impossibilitypossibility
State of being achievable
achievability · attainability · feasibility · practicability · practicality
impossibilitypossibility
State of being achievable
certainty · inevitability · necessity · probability · likelihood
impossibilityfeasibility
Potential for success
practicability · practicality · viability · workability · manageability