expressive
adjective
ex·pres·sive
ik-ˈspre-siv 
1
: of or relating to expression
the expressive function of language
2
: serving to express, utter, or represent
foul and novel terms expressive of rage—
H. G. Wells
H. G. Wells3
: effectively conveying meaning or feeling
an expressive silence
expressive line drawings
expressively
adverb
expressiveness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of expressive in a Sentence
the expressive function of language
the teacher's expressive sigh showed that she had heard that excuse many times before
Recent Examples on the Web
In the pastoral patchwork of vineyards west of Highway 154, winemaker Alice Anderson and her partner, Topher De Felice, farm a historic 10-acre property with the help of her small herd of animals, growing grapes for some of the most singularly expressive wines in California.
—David Rosoff, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2024
The case raised questions of whether Facebook, X/Twitter, YouTube and other platforms were neutral gatekeepers of third party content, or whether their content moderation practices were the kind of expressive activity protected by the First Amendment.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 1 July 2024
Alito questioned whether decisions made by AI could be expressive enough to warrant First Amendment protection.
—Lauren Feiner, The Verge, 1 July 2024
This is probably one of the reasons why every community around the world has its own creative and expressive practices.
—Girija Kaimal, Discover Magazine, 26 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for expressive 
David Rosoff, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2024
The case raised questions of whether Facebook, X/Twitter, YouTube and other platforms were neutral gatekeepers of third party content, or whether their content moderation practices were the kind of expressive activity protected by the First Amendment.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 1 July 2024
Alito questioned whether decisions made by AI could be expressive enough to warrant First Amendment protection.
—Lauren Feiner, The Verge, 1 July 2024
This is probably one of the reasons why every community around the world has its own creative and expressive practices.
—Girija Kaimal, Discover Magazine, 26 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for expressive
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'expressive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near expressive
Cite this Entry
“Expressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expressive. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
expressive
adjective
ex·pres·sive
ik-ˈspres-iv
1
: of or relating to expression
2
: serving to express
3
: full of expression
also
: openly expressing one's feelings
an expressive face
expressively
adverb
expressiveness
noun
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