impact 1 of 2

impact

2 of 2

verb

1
2
3

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of impact are collision, concussion, and shock. While all these words mean "a forceful, even violent contact between two or more things," 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 it sensible to use collision instead of impact?

The meanings of collision and impact largely overlap; however, 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

In what contexts can concussion take the place of impact?

In some situations, the words concussion and impact are roughly equivalent. However, 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 could shock be used to replace impact?

The synonyms shock and impact are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

Examples 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 impact
Noun
Jaiswal, co-author of an article on the health impacts of blood cell clones in the 2023 Annual Review of Medicine, speculates that some clones might be better at populating brain tissue or clearing away toxic proteins. Amber Dance, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Jan. 2025 Ashley is a senior policy reporter for Ars Technica, dedicated to tracking social impacts of emerging policies and new technologies. Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
Other creative ways people are lending a hand: LA Arts Community Fire Relief Fund: The Getty Museum and a coalition of arts organizations have established a fund to support artists impacted by the fires. Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2025 The local sports community has reached out to help those impacted by the massive wildfires that have devastated Los Angeles County for more than a week. Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for impact 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impact
Noun
  • The collision of the two events has set members of the civil rights community on edge, in part because of Trump’s history of inflammatory comments.
    Cheyanne M. Daniels, The Hill, 20 Jan. 2025
  • Collis asked that anyone who witnessed the collision or caught video footage of it call the Sheriff’s Office at 858-565-5200.
    Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Sign up for Axios Latino Barak Ravid Updated Jan 19, 2025 - World Three Israeli hostages released after Gaza ceasefire begins Three Israeli female hostages were released by Hamas on Sunday, six hours after the Gaza ceasefire came into effect.
    Rebecca Falconer, Axios, 20 Jan. 2025
  • For a truly upscale look, consider installing two tracks for a layered curtain effect.
    Brittney Morgan, Travel + Leisure, 20 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Researchers accounted for factors that could influence the results, such as sleep duration, physical activity levels, smoking status, and diet quality.
    Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 18 Jan. 2025
  • Since Swift first showed support for the Chiefs, she's dramatically influenced the team's demographic, in addition to the NFL's audience as a whole.
    Skyler Caruso, People.com, 18 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The Mets might be better off signing Alex Bregman and bumping Mark Vientos to first base, but as currently constructed, a return to Queens for Alonso seems like the logical fit.
    Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
  • Not to mention the helpful possibility of bumping into members of Trump’s inner circle, like Musk.
    David Jeans, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Blooming consumes a lot of the plant’s energy and cuttings taken from flowering plants are generally harder to root.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Yet the decision to flee from a traumatic event in which another human being has lost their life is likely rooted more in psychology than a driver’s penchant to kill.
    Ryan Lillis, Sacramento Bee, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • In Bull Connor’s case, film coverage of his fire-hose and police-dog attacks was broadcast on TV, triggering shock and fury in Washington and elsewhere, and ultimately leading to passage of the Civil Rights Act in 1964.
    David Mcgrath, Orlando Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2025
  • After kicking her feet in a circle to try to get the remains to move, the woman gasps and raises her hand to her mouth in shock.
    Charna Flam, People.com, 26 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • That projection is based on the player’s performance in each metric over the last three seasons (five for goalies), weighted for recency where more recent seasons carry more significance and regressed to the mean.
    Dom Luszczyszyn, The Athletic, 19 Jan. 2025
  • By emphasizing the human element, the leader makes the strategy more accessible and relatable, ensuring the team understands its purpose and significance.
    Paola Cecchi-Dimeglio, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The message, says de Gouw, is to clean everything one can carefully and thoroughly, because the smoke can affect nearly every part of a home—even in houses far from the fire line.
    Alejandra Borunda, NPR, 19 Jan. 2025
  • The following apps developed by ByteDance and its subsidiaries are affected: TikTok, TikTok Studio, TikTok Shop Seller Center, CapCut, Lemon8, Hypic, Lark – Team Collaboration, Lark – Rooms Display, Lark Rooms Controller, Gauth: AI Study Companion and Marvel Snap.
    Todd Spangler, Variety, 19 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near impact

Cite this Entry

“Impact.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impact. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on impact

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!