impossibility
/ɪmˌpɒsəˈbɪləti/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪmˌpɑːsəˈbɪləti/ (ame, ipa) · /(ˌ)im-ˌpä-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē/ (ame, mw)
impossibility — noun
- impossibilitysingular
- impossibilitiesplural
1. The fact that something cannot exist, happen, or be done under any circumstances
The fact that something cannot exist, happen, or be done under any circumstances; also, a specific task or situation that is not achievable no matter what approach is taken.
Dr. Caleb Okonkwo says the impossibility of reversing climate change is now widely accepted.
impossibility + of [gerund] for stating something cannot be done
For Arjun and his family, buying a home in central London was a financial impossibility.
Crossing the Sahara desert without a vehicle was a near impossibility for the stranded travelers.
Mira's lawyer proved the impossibility of her being at two places at the same time.
Amelia explained to her classmates why squaring a circle is a mathematical impossibility.
- impracticality
suggests something is not sensible or feasible in practice but may still be theoretically possible; weaker than impossibility
- absurdity
focuses on the idea being so unreasonable that it cannot be true, rather than being physically or logically impossible
- hopelessness
emotional tone — emphasizes the feeling of despair rather than objective impossibility
- possibility
the direct opposite — something that can happen or be done
- feasibility
practical possibility, suggesting something is achievable with reasonable effort or resources
文法句型
impossibility + of + noun/gerund
impossibility + that-clause
a/an + adjective + impossibility
用法筆記
Frequently modified by adjectives such as 'absolute', 'logical', 'physical', 'virtual', 'near', and 'mathematical'. The countable form ('an impossibility') refers to a specific impossible task or situation, while the uncountable form ('the impossibility of...') stresses the abstract state. Register is neutral to formal; common in academic writing, journalism, and everyday speech without sounding overly technical.