impressive

adjective

im·​pres·​sive im-ˈpre-siv 

: making or tending to make a marked impression : having the power to excite attention, awe, or admiration

an impressive display of skill

impressively adverb

impressiveness noun

Synonyms

• affecting
• emotional
• impactful
• moving
• poignant
• stirring
• touching

Choose the Right Synonym for impressive

moving, impressive, poignant, affecting, touching, pathetic mean having the power to produce deep emotion.

moving may apply to any strong emotional effect including thrilling, agitating, saddening, or calling forth pity or sympathy.

a moving appeal for contributions

impressive implies compelling attention, admiration, wonder, or conviction.

an impressive list of achievements

poignant applies to what keenly or sharply affects one's sensitivities.

a poignant documentary on the homeless

affecting is close to moving but most often suggests pathos.

an affecting deathbed reunion

touching implies arousing tenderness or compassion.

the touching innocence in a child's eyes

pathetic implies moving to pity or sometimes contempt.

pathetic attempts to justify misconduct

Examples of impressive in a Sentence

He has an impressive vocabulary for a 10-year-old.

Her first performance was very impressive.

He has an impressive manner.

Recent Examples on the Web

His double casting is an impressive stunt, somehow both meaningless and mesmerizing. —Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2025

Betts leads her team in scoring with 19.7 points per game, shooting an impressive 63.2% from the field. —Jenn Nelson, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025

In the Reel posted on Friday, Hudson shared how the athletic couple captured their impressive shots. —Natasha Dye, People.com, 21 Mar. 2025

The human cast is impressive; Michael Keaton shines as a ruthless amusement park owner who exploits Dumbo, and Danny DeVito is spirited as a circus ringmaster with a heart of gold. —Barry Levitt, TIME, 21 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for impressive

• aggressive
• compressive
• concessive
• depressive
• excessive
• expressive
• obsessive
• oppressive
• possessive
• progressive
• recessive
• regressive

Kids Definition

impressive

adjective

im·​pres·​sive im-ˈpres-iv 

: having the power to impress the mind or feelings

an impressive speech

impressively adverb

impressiveness noun