unclimbable

Too sheer, impossible

Unclimbable describes something that cannot be climbed—a wall too smooth, a mountain too sheer, a fence too high.

The word often carries a hint of challenge or impossibility: The north face was considered unclimbable until 1953.

Sometimes used figuratively for obstacles that seem insurmountable: an unclimbable career ladder.

steep

precipitous

Extremely steep, almost vertical

escarpment · overhang · ledge · crag · bluff · face · rockface · incline · gradient · pitch

insurmountable

impossible

Incapable of occurring

unattainable · unachievable · inaccessible · unscalable · impassable · invincible · hopeless · overwhelming · indomitable · unassailable

barrier

wall

Vertical enclosing structure

fortification · rampart · bulwark · palisade · parapet · obstacle · impediment · blockade · barricade · fence

forbidding

intimidating

Inspiring fear or unease

  • dauntingDiscouraging through difficulty
  • menacingConveying threat or danger
  • ominousSuggesting something bad approaches

threatening · inhospitable · unwelcoming · unapproachable · hostile · grim · bleak · treacherous · perilous · deadly

challenging

arduous

Demanding strenuous effort

punishing · exhausting · extreme · technical · exposed · dangerous · risky · harrowing · death-defying

Opposites
accessibility/traversability

unclimbableclimbable

Able to be ascended

scalable · ascendable · passable · surmountable · traversable

difficulty/ease of ascent

unclimbableeasy

Requiring minimal effort

gentle · walkable · beginner-friendly · straightforward · effortless

Family

climb, climbing, climber, climbed, unclimbed, climbable, reclimbing, reclimbed

Familiarity
Top 500,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G