Meaning & use

insoluble

adjective·Academic

Not able to be dissolved, especially in water or another liquid.

See it in a sentence

Sand is insoluble in water, so it simply settles at the bottom of the glass.

Oil is insoluble in water, which is why the two liquids separate.

A note on using this word

Insoluble is chiefly a chemistry term, but it also describes a problem or difficulty that seems impossible to solve, as in 'an insoluble dilemma.'

Words with a similar meaning

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Words with an opposite meaning

Another way to use it

2. adjective

Impossible to solve or resolve, used of a problem or difficulty.

The two sides seemed to face an insoluble disagreement over the border.

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