impalpable

adjective

im·​pal·​pa·​ble (ˌ)im-ˈpal-pə-bəl How to pronounce impalpable (audio)
1
a
: incapable of being felt by touch : intangible
the impalpable aura of power that emanated from himOsbert Sitwell
b
: so finely divided that no grains or grit can be felt
rock worn to an impalpable powder
2
: not readily discerned by the mind
impalpable evils
impalpability noun
impalpably adverb

Examples of impalpable in a Sentence

the rich colors used in the wall coverings and furniture give the room an impalpable warmth any difference between the two sound systems is impalpable to all but the most discerning audiophiles
Recent Examples on the Web The principle consists in mixing, with the sewage, quantities of lime and clay, combining with the carbonic acid of the fecal matters to form carbonate of lime, in an impalpable powder. Mark Fischetti, Scientific American, 15 June 2022 This is the primordial key point, the impalpable idea that will finally turn out to be the engine of your business. Xavier Preterit, Forbes, 22 Apr. 2022 And so, with 24 regular-season games remaining for the Utah Jazz after the All-Star break, hard-and-fast conclusions about this team remain frustratingly elusive and impalpable. Eric Walden, The Salt Lake Tribune, 24 Feb. 2022 But there’s an argument to be made that the colorless, soundless, impalpable structures of symbols and relationships of science are far more revealing. Kc Cole, Wired, 22 Dec. 2021 Afterward, as in Vienna, property relations were forever altered, which had an impalpable but unmistakable effect on attitudes. New York Times, 29 June 2021 The full album as well features similar, almost impalpable, differences. Lauren Huff, EW.com, 13 Apr. 2021 In these distant and impalpable moments, I am touched. Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 18 Mar. 2021 Appearing in all four games this season, Grossman has displayed an impalpable ability for generating first downs on crucial drives for UAB this season. Evan Dudley, al, 5 Oct. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'impalpable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1509, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of impalpable was in 1509

Dictionary Entries Near impalpable

Cite this Entry

“Impalpable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impalpable. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

impalpable

adjective
im·​pal·​pa·​ble (ˈ)im-ˈpal-pə-bəl How to pronounce impalpable (audio)
1
: unable to be felt by touch
the impalpable excitement of the audience
2
: not easily seen or understood
impalpable evils

Medical Definition

impalpable

adjective
im·​pal·​pa·​ble (ˈ)im-ˈpal-pə-bəl How to pronounce impalpable (audio)
1
: incapable of being felt by touch
the pulse was impalpable at the wrist
preoperative localization of impalpable breast lesionsJane Barrett
2
: so finely divided that no grains or grit can be felt
an impalpable powder
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