Definition of impressionistnext
as in performer
a person who imitates another's voice and mannerisms for comic effect a celebrated impressionist who can do enough rapid-fire imitations to populate an entire stage with characters

Synonyms & Similar Words

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impressionist

2 of 2

adjective

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 impressionist
Noun
Mimics tells the story of Sam, a struggling impressionist who makes a pact with a wicked puppet. Rebecca Angel Baer, Southern Living, 7 Feb. 2026 The actor and impressionist, who has been with the show since 1989, has no idea what happens after that. Ralphie Aversa, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
Typewriters, stationery, fine-art museums, the quintessential impressionist painter—these are all associated with taste, beauty, and craft, as well as with intentionality and care, the opposite of the ruthless technological efficiency that repels many from generative AI. Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026 Inspired by Mediterranean pieces, this coverlet is styled best with terra-cotta floors, a humble wood side table, and a small impressionist painting above a four-poster bed. Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 10 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for impressionist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impressionist
Noun
  • The performer and brother of pop star Ariana Grande was a shoo-in for the parts, having played them as far back as 2018.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026
  • The data can be used for special effects work or as a reference for a video game artist creating a character around a performer.
    Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 6 July 2026
Adjective
  • Dreams of Violets can feel disjointed in spots, but perhaps not more than any impressionistic movie about a crisis.
    Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 11 June 2026
  • Mann directs with a dreamy, almost impressionistic hand that feels right at home alongside his more polished later work.
    Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 9 June 2026
Noun
  • After splitting from Willet in 1984, the actor spent almost 35 years with his companion, Michelle Triola, until her death in 2009.
    Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 8 July 2026
  • Among them is the viral handbag brand Songmont, whose podcast asks famous directors or actors to discuss topics like self-acceptance and creativity in contemplative two-hour episodes.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 8 July 2026
Adjective
  • In his songs, the English language turned woolier and more expressionistic; musical space-time distended and stretched.
    New York Times, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
  • The gap between that description and the surreal, personally expressionistic film up on the screen, however, could not be wider.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 14 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Instead, Hargitay learned at age 30 that her bio-dad was Italian entertainer Nelson Sardelli — Giovanna Sardelli’s father — with whom Mansfield had a brief relationship while separated from Mickey Hargitay in the early 1960s.
    Martha Ross, Mercury News, 6 July 2026
  • There’s a difference between being an entertainer and an artist.
    Zac Ntim, Deadline, 6 July 2026
Adjective
  • By the 1980s, Baselitz’s profile began to expand beyond Germany, when he was exhibited in dialogue with figurative painters sharing his expressionist leanings, including Italy’s Sandro Chia and Francesco Clemente.
    Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 30 Apr. 2026
  • The film is full of gorgeously expressionist black-and-white photography, stunning otherworldly production design, and a subtle sense of foreboding throughout that's one of the best the director has mustered in his illustrious career.
    Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • But the arrival of Buc-ee's supercharged the trend and spawned imitators like Wally's, which has three 50,000-square-foot locations in the Midwest, with plans for more.
    Kevin Williams, CNBC, 2 July 2026
  • The frontier labs keep shipping the next capability while the imitators are still training on the last one, and the value keeps accruing to whoever is ahead rather than to whoever copied the leader's previous answers.
    Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • Kevin Nealon plays Happy’s overly positive AT&T Open partner Gary Potter, who comes off as more of an eccentric self-help guru impersonator than a pro golfer.
    Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 5 July 2026
  • Congo fans helped pack out The Stadium Usually Known as Mercedes-Benz on Saturday (even without their beloved Patrice Lumumba impersonator).
    Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 29 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Impressionist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impressionist. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

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