impact

²im·pact

noun \ˈim-ˌpakt\

Definition of IMPACT

1

a : an impinging or striking especially of one body against another b : a forceful contact or onset; also : the impetus communicated in or as if in such a contact

2

: the force of impression of one thing on another : a significant or major effect <the impact of science on our society> <an environmental impact study>

Examples of IMPACT

1. No one could have survived such an impact.
2. These warnings have been heard so often that they have lost their impact.
3. The book had a huge impact when it first came out.
4. We need to be concerned about the environmental impacts of all this construction.
5. She expects to make an immediate impact at work.

First Known Use of IMPACT

1781

Related to IMPACT

Synonyms: bump, collision, concussion, crash, impingement, jar, jolt, jounce, kick, shock, slam, smash, strike, wallop

Related Words: blow, buffet, hit, knock, punch, rap, slap, thump; bashing, battering, bludgeoning, clobbering, hammering, lambasting, licking, pounding, pummeling (also pummelling), thrashing; contact, encounter, meeting, touch

Near Antonyms: helplessness, impotence, impotency, powerlessness, weakness

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Synonym Discussion of IMPACT

impact, collision, shock, concussion 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>. 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>. 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 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>.