IMPACT Synonyms: 193 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

impact 1 of 2

noun

ˈim-ˌpakt

Definition of impact next

as in collision

a forceful coming together of two things the glass shattered immediately upon impact with the floor

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in effect

the power to bring about a result on another the execution had such a powerful impact on her that she became a crusader for the abolition of capital punishment

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in effectiveness

the quality of an utterance that provokes interest and produces an effect the story has real dramatic impact

Synonyms & Similar Words

impact

2 of 2

verb

im-ˈpakt

as in to influence

to act upon (a person or a person's feelings) so as to cause a response the tragic loss of his father impacted the boy for the rest of his life

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to bump

to come into usually forceful contact with something the damage sustained when a car going 40 miles an hour impacts with a brick wall

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

miss
skirt

as in to root

to set solidly in or as if in surrounding matter the bullet was found impacted in the police officer's protective vest

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 impact

Noun

The Idaho Transportation Department, the State Board of Education, and the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare referred Statesman requests for information on the freeze’s impacts to the governor’s office, which did not immediately provide details. —

Rose Evans, Idaho Statesman, 29 Jan. 2025 The package has drawn widespread criticism from industry leaders over the impact on investment, jobs and economic growth. —

Sam Meredith,holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2025

Verb

Schiavo said the change in administration this month, with President Donald Trump appointing new transportation and defense secretaries, should not impact the investigation. —

Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 30 Jan. 2025 Potter said flights at Dulles International Airport and Baltimore/Washington International Airport were not being impacted by the incident. —

Faris Tanyos, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for impact

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impact

Noun

Hundreds of incidents since 2015 are detailed on the NASA database in which pilots have said they were forced to take evasive action to avoid collision with another aircraft or helicopter when trying to land or depart from the country's busiest airports.

— Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 1 Feb. 2025
The collision of the American Airlines commuter jet and the Army Blackhawk helicopter that took 67 lives was captured in a horrifying instant by an airport camera.

— Michael L. Millenson, Forbes, 31 Jan. 2025