impressive

adjective

im·​pres·​sive im-ˈpre-siv 

: making or tending to make a marked impression : having the power to excite attention, awe, or admiration

an impressive display of skill

impressively adverb

impressiveness noun

Synonyms of impressive

• emotional
• exciting
• excitable

Choose the Right Synonym for impressive

moving, impressive, poignant, affecting, touching, pathetic mean having the power to produce deep emotion.

moving may apply to any strong emotional effect including thrilling, agitating, saddening, or calling forth pity or sympathy.

a moving appeal for contributions

impressive implies compelling attention, admiration, wonder, or conviction.

an impressive list of achievements

poignant applies to what keenly or sharply affects one's sensitivities.

a poignant documentary on the homeless

affecting is close to moving but most often suggests pathos.

an affecting deathbed reunion

touching implies arousing tenderness or compassion.

the touching innocence in a child's eyes

pathetic implies moving to pity or sometimes contempt.

pathetic attempts to justify misconduct

Examples of impressive in a Sentence

He has an impressive vocabulary for a 10-year-old.

Her first performance was very impressive.

He has an impressive manner.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Heat’s new starting group of Mitchell, Thompson, Larsson, Antetokounmpo and Adebayo entered Tuesday outscoring opponents by an impressive 32 points per 100 possessions in 37 minutes together this season. — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 11 Nov. 2026

So far, the Manns have assembled and distributed more than 475 bags—an impressive number that is continuing to grow. — Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 10 Nov. 2026

In two of the Mighty Macs’ most important matches of the season — the sectional final and a supersectional match — the senior outside hitter put down impressive kills for the last point. — Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 10 Nov. 2026

Newton dedicated himself even more intensely to his research during this period, making impressive strides in optics and kinematics and even developing a theory of gravitation. — Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 10 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1775, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for impressive

• aggressive
• compressive
• concessive
• depressive
• excessive
• expressive
• obsessive
• oppressive
• possessive
• progressive
• recessive
• regressive

Kids Definition

impressive

adjective

im·​pres·​sive im-ˈpres-iv 

: having the power to impress the mind or feelings

an impressive speech

impressively adverb

impressiveness noun