percussive

adjective

per·​cus·​sive pər-ˈkə-siv How to pronounce percussive (audio)
1
: of or relating to percussion
especially : operative or operated by striking
2
: having powerful impact
percussively adverb
percussiveness noun

Examples of percussive in a Sentence

The song had a punchy, percussive rhythm.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
On Dangerous, Riley helps carve a sharper figure out of the bloat and bombast that defines all of Jackson’s post-Thriller albums, and Jackson’s increasingly percussive vocal style came alive in new ways over Riley’s propulsive new jack swing tracks. Al Shipley, SPIN, 16 Jan. 2025 By utilizing percussive massage, these devices provide muscle relief from resting tension and stiffness by facilitating blood flow and lymphatic drainage throughout the muscles, according to Giangrasso. Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 11 Jan. 2025 One of his students was a musician who decided to study the pitches and octaves produced from the percussive aspects of flint-knapping. Ars Technica, 2 Jan. 2025 Born in Brazil to parents who immigrated from South Korea, Paek is a culinary enthusiast and influencer whose distinctive videos pair quick cuts of him preparing a dish to the tune of a pop song, timing his percussive chops, splashes and movements to the steps of the recipe. Ari Daniel, NPR, 27 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for percussive 

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of percussive was in 1598

Dictionary Entries Near percussive

Cite this Entry

“Percussive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/percussive. Accessed 19 Jan. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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