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

In an era when contemporary art has become an asset class, Rashid Johnson’s level of success is impressive, and apparently rock solid. —Calvin Tomkins, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024

Tuck’s journey to this milestone is as impressive as her resume. —Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 9 Dec. 2024

His second score was what coach Kevin O’Connell called the most impressive Darnold moment of the day. —Alec Lewis, The Athletic, 9 Dec. 2024

The year’s most impressive filmmaking debut was the playwright Annie Baker’s soft but spiky recollection of life in western Massachusetts in the early ’90s. —David Sims, The Atlantic, 9 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined above

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