impalpable
adjective
im·pal·pa·ble
(ˌ)im-ˈpal-pə-bəl 
1
a
: incapable of being felt by touch : intangible
the impalpable aura of power that emanated from him—
Osbert Sitwell
Osbert 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
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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Impalpable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impalpable. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
impalpable
adjective
im·pal·pa·ble
(ˈ)im-ˈpal-pə-bəl
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
1
: incapable of being felt by touch
the pulse was impalpable at the wrist
preoperative localization of impalpable breast lesions—Jane Barrett
Jane Barrett2
: so finely divided that no grains or grit can be felt
an impalpable powder
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