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

Mitchell was particularly impressive as a distributor while Crowe and Bryant flashed their elite scoring ability. — Pj Green november 3, Kansas City Star, 4 Nov. 2026

Even in a lopsided loss, Antetokounmpo turned in an impressive stat line of 30 points on 10-of-17 shooting from the field and 10-of-15 shooting from the foul line, 12 rebounds and seven assists in 34 minutes. — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2026

The Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3) keeps the same 12MP camera, hands-free Meta AI assistant, and impressive audio as the Gen 2, adding just an extra hour of battery life, a six-mic array for clearer calls, and two new frame styles. — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 3 Nov. 2026

Apple has some interesting advantages of its own, including impressive battery performance and a clever screen designed to reduce glare. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 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