Thesaurus results for CONCUSSION

Q: How is the word 'concussion' different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of concussion are collision , impact , and shock . While all these words mean "a forceful, even violent contact between two or more things," concussion when not in technical use, often suggests the shattering, disrupting, or weakening effects of a collision, explosion, or blow. // bystanders felt the concussion of the blast

Q: When is it sensible to use 'collision' instead of 'concussion'?

The words collision and concussion can be used in similar contexts, but collision implies the coming together of two or more things with such force that both or all are damaged or their progress is severely impeded. // the collision damaged the vehicle

Q: When can 'impact' be used instead of 'concussion'?

The synonyms impact and concussion are sometimes interchangeable, but impact may be used to imply contact between two things, at least one of which is impelled toward the other. // the glass shattered on impact with the floor

Q: When is 'shock' a more appropriate choice than 'concussion'?

The words shock and concussion are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, shock often denotes the effect produced by a collision and carries the suggestion of something that strikes or hits with force. // the shock of falling rocks

concussion

noun

kən-ˈkə-shən

Definition of concussion next

as in collision

a forceful coming together of two things the concussion of the two football players sent them both to the ground

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in crash

the violent coming together of two bodies into destructive contact the theory that such a concussion, by a giant asteroid or comet millions of years ago, led to the extinction of the dinosaurs

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word concussion different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of concussion are collision, impact, and shock. While all these words mean "a forceful, even violent contact between two or more things," concussion when not in technical use, often suggests the shattering, disrupting, or weakening effects of a collision, explosion, or blow.

bystanders felt the concussion of the blast

When is it sensible to use collision instead of concussion?

The words collision and concussion can be used in similar contexts, but collision implies the coming together of two or more things with such force that both or all are damaged or their progress is severely impeded.

the collision damaged the vehicle

When can impact be used instead of concussion?

The synonyms impact and concussion are sometimes interchangeable, but impact may be used to imply contact between two things, at least one of which is impelled toward the other.

the glass shattered on impact with the floor

When is shock a more appropriate choice than concussion?

The words shock and concussion are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, shock often denotes the effect produced by a collision and carries the suggestion of something that strikes or hits with force.

the shock of falling rocks

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of concussion Swann was questionable to play after a concussion in the AFC Championship game. —

Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2025 Post-traumatic headache is a type of headache that happens after a head injury or trauma, such as whiplash or a concussion. —

Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 6 Feb. 2025 But Steinberg has seen players play after suffering a third concussion. —

Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 1 Feb. 2025 According to a report from PWInsider Elite, it has been confirmed that Dakota Kai is still in concussion protocol heading into the Royal Rumble this weekend. —

Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for concussion

Recent Examples of Synonyms for concussion

Noun

During a news briefing the following day, President Donald Trump baselessly suggested the collision was the result of the Federal Aviation Administration’s diversity hiring goals.

— Katie Smith, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025
And all of this was in the wake of the Jan. 29 mid-air collision over the Potomac River near Virginia’s Reagan International Airport, between a commercial jet carrying 64 people and a military helicopter with three on board, claiming all 67 lives.

— Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 11 Feb. 2025