percussive
adjective
per·cus·sive
pər-ˈkə-siv 
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
In ‘Gangsters,’ there’s a mad percussive synth riff that comes into that.
—
Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2025
Typically performed on acoustic guitar with percussive accompaniment, Garifuna songs combine West African rhythms with Latin, reggae, and calypso music.
—Walden Green, Pitchfork, 19 Mar. 2025
Thunderclaps shiver through Ramaswamy’s hands as percussive tabla dodges in and out of the score.
—Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2025
Both also share a mid-aughts sentimentality and a percussive synth line that pitter-patters throughout.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for percussive
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Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2025
Typically performed on acoustic guitar with percussive accompaniment, Garifuna songs combine West African rhythms with Latin, reggae, and calypso music.
—Walden Green, Pitchfork, 19 Mar. 2025
Thunderclaps shiver through Ramaswamy’s hands as percussive tabla dodges in and out of the score.
—Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2025
Both also share a mid-aughts sentimentality and a percussive synth line that pitter-patters throughout.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for percussive
Cite this Entry
“Percussive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/percussive. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
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