impressionistic

adjective

im·​pres·​sion·​is·​tic (ˌ)im-ˌpre-shə-ˈni-stik 

1

or impressionist

im-ˈpre-sh(ə-)nist 

often capitalized : of, relating to, or constituting impressionism

2

: based on or involving impression as distinct from expertise or fact

intuitions and impressionistic anecdotal accounts

—Sidney Hook

impressionistically

(ˌ)im-ˌpre-shə-ˈni-sti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of impressionistic in a Sentence

He wrote an impressionistic account of the battle scene.

Recent Examples on the Web

The movie itself, however, depicts those flashbacks with impressionistic techniques that create an impression of an assault without actually showing it. —Stephen Humphries, The Christian Science Monitor, 16 Oct. 2024

The process was impressionistic, even idiosyncratic. —W. Joseph Campbell, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2024

Martel’s impressionistic and minimally plotted style costumes Chekovian family drama with concrete shoes, creating an unforgettable film that feels both weighty and dangerously unmoored in equal measure. —Indiewire Staff, IndieWire, 12 Aug. 2024

Enlarge Apple/Andrew Cunningham The installer icon from Sequoia sticks with the impressionistic color-swirl motif from the last few releases, with vaguely cylindrical blue tree-ish shapes stretching into an orange haze. —Andrew Cunningham, Ars Technica, 18 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

impressionistic

adjective

im·​pres·​sion·​is·​tic (ˌ)im-ˌpresh-ə-ˈnis-tik 

1

or impressionist

im-ˈpresh-(ə-)nəst 

often capitalized : of or relating to impressionism

an impressionistic style of painting

2

: based on or involving one's impressions rather than knowledge or facts

impressionistic descriptions

impressionistically

(ˌ)im-ˌpresh-ə-ˈnis-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb