impress

1 of 4

verb (1)

im·​press im-ˈpres 

impressed; impressing; impresses

transitive verb

1

a

: to affect especially forcibly or deeply : gain the admiration or interest of

her honesty impressed us

b

: to produce a vivid impression of

2

a

: to apply with pressure so as to imprint

b

: to produce (something, such as a mark) by pressure

c

: to mark by or as if by pressure or stamping

3

: transfer, transmit

intransitive verb

: to produce an impression

impressibility

im-ˌpre-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

impressible

im-ˈpre-sə-bəl 

adjective

impress

2 of 4

noun (1)

im·​press ˈim-ˌpres 

also

im-ˈpres 

1

: a characteristic or distinctive mark : stamp

the impress of a fresh and vital intelligence is stamped … in his work

—Lytton Strachey

2

: impression, effect

have an impress on history

3

: the act of impressing

4

a

: a mark made by pressure : imprint

b

: an image of something formed by or as if by pressure

especially : seal

c

: a product of pressure or influence

impress

3 of 4

verb (2)

im·​press im-ˈpres 

impressed; impressing; impresses

transitive verb

1

: to levy or take by force for public service

especially : to force into naval service

2

a

: to procure or enlist by forcible persuasion

b

: force

impressed him into a white coat for the Christmas festivities

—Nancy Hale

impress

4 of 4

noun (2)

im·​press ˈim-ˌpres 

also

im-ˈpres 

: impressment

Synonyms

Verb (1)

• affect
• impact
• influence
• move
• reach
• strike
• sway
• tell (on)
• touch

Choose the Right Synonym for impress

affect, influence, touch, impress, strike, sway mean to produce or have an effect upon.

affect implies the action of a stimulus that can produce a response or reaction.

the sight affected her to tears

influence implies a force that brings about a change (as in nature or behavior).

our beliefs are influenced by our upbringing

touch may carry a vivid suggestion of close contact and may connote stirring, arousing, or harming.

plants touched by frost

his emotions were touched by her distress

impress stresses the depth and persistence of the effect.

only one of the plans impressed him

strike, similar to but weaker than impress, may convey the notion of sudden sharp perception or appreciation.

struck by the solemnity of the occasion

sway implies the acting of influences that are not resisted or are irresistible, with resulting change in character or course of action.

politicians who are swayed by popular opinion

Examples of impress in a Sentence

Verb (1)

impressed him with the intensity of their musical performance

impressed the importance of safe driving habits by displaying photos of horrific crashes

after weeks of nagging, they impressed her into going to the masquerade party

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Joining the Fifteenth Doctor in his adventures is Ruby, played by Gibson, who impressed the Doctor with her bravery in the Christmas special. —Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2024

On May 6, the 22-year-old daughter of Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin arrived at her first Met Gala dressed to impress. —Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 7 May 2024

Online communities have also been impressed with im-a-good-gpt2-chatbot and im-also-a-good-gpt2-chatbot. —Maxwell Zeff / Gizmodo, Quartz, 7 May 2024

Another pastor from Guatemala came to visit and was impressed by the young man. —Jennifer Medina Isadora Kosofsky, New York Times, 5 May 2024

The article said Hader took out a minimum investment of $5,000 to shoot a short film to impress Hollywood executives. —Dina Kaur, The Arizona Republic, 4 May 2024

Both chefs impressed the judges, who hemmed and hawed over their favorite before eventually choosing Manny’s dish in a narrow win. —Rachel Bernhard, Journal Sentinel, 1 May 2024

What to bring when the pressure’s on Choosing wine can be especially intimidating when there’s someone specific to impress. —Anna Lee Iijima, The Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2024

Sharing a photo shoot of herself on Instagram, Phoenix dressed to impress in three of Brown’s fan-favorite looks. —Emma Kershaw, Peoplemag, 23 Apr. 2024

Noun

Monk’s costume design impresses, as Elodie must use parts of her dress to engineer her way out of dire encounters with the dragon (voiced by Shohreh Aghdashloo) and the maze of its underground lair. —Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2024

The Echo Show 8 impresses with its high-quality display and versatile features. —Maddie Michalik, Travel + Leisure, 25 Jan. 2024

The Highland Park estate at 3637 Maplewood Ave. impresses with sophisticated style from your first step in the door. —Allie Beth Allman & Associates, Dallas News, 17 Sep. 2023

Chris Lowe’s production design impresses with the Oceanic Institute and the very cool dive suits and sea vessels. —David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Aug. 2023

Designed by William Briggs and built by Tom Black, the nearly 6,000-square-foot home impresses with arched doorways, spacious rooms and sophisticated fireplaces. —Allie Beth Allman & Associates, Dallas News, 27 June 2023

About how youth is clay that responds to the impress of charismatic people and ideas. —Melissa Holbrook Pierson, Washington Post, 22 June 2023

On the road, even the entry-level 350+ impresses, the steel suspension tending more towards soft compliance than engaging poise, but still offering a relaxing, rewarding drive experience. —Tim Stevens, Robb Report, 5 Apr. 2023

Thankfully, this always-be-dressed-to-impress rule has lightened up a bit during the pandemic, but here are a few other steadfast ways that remain. —Sara Lieberman, Travel + Leisure, 15 Sep. 2021

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English, from Latin impressus, past participle of imprimere, from in- + premere to press — more at press

Verb (2)

in- entry 2 + press entry 3

First Known Use

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2a

Noun (1)

1590, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1602, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

impress

1 of 3 verb

im·​press im-ˈpres 

1

: to produce by stamping, pressing, or printing

2

a

: to fix in or on one's mind : produce a vivid impression of

the lesson was impressed on their minds

b

: to affect strongly or deeply

I am impressed by what you've done

also : to gain the admiration or interest of

tries to impress people

impress

2 of 3 noun

im·​press ˈim-ˌpres 

1

: the act of impressing

2

: a mark made by pressure

3

: a characteristic or special mark

4

: impression sense 2b

impress

3 of 3 verb

im·​press im-ˈpres 

: to force into naval service

impressment

-mənt

noun