impact

verb im·pact \ im-ˈpakt \

|Updated on: 16 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: impact in a Sentence

Editor's Note: Is impact a verb?

Definition of impact

impacted; impacting; impacts

transitive verb

1 a : to fix firmly by or as if by packing or wedging

b : to press together

2 a : to have a direct effect or impact on : impinge on

b : to strike forcefully; also : to cause to strike forcefully

intransitive verb

1 : to have an impact —often used with on

2 : to impinge or make contact especially forcefully

See impact defined for English-language learners

See impact defined for kids

Examples of impact in a Sentence

No one is sure how these changes will impact our relations with other countries.
Both events negatively impacted her life.
The tax increase will impact low-income families the most.
The poor economy is impacting on small businesses.
A crater was formed at the point where the meteor impacted the planet's surface.

Recent Examples of impact from the Web

Veteran Panthers DEs impacting Marquis Haynes, and one has a familiar comparison 5.

— joseph person, charlotteobserver, "5 accomplishments that would signal success in this week's Carolina Panthers minicamp," 11 June 2018
Bombs that are acquired and launched by co-op groups will land somewhere on the actual map—and possibly impact other players—to clear a path for your co-op team to dig through the nuked wreckage, fight harder monsters, and acquire more loot.

— sam machkovech, Ars Technica, "Bethesda at E3: Elder Scrolls VI, Starfield confirmed for “next generation”," 11 June 2018
But there's no telling how the upcoming acquisitions will impact the team's fortunes next season.

— peter dawson, star-telegram, "How will the Mavericks finish next season? Oddsmakers provide a pre-NBA Draft outlook," 11 June 2018
Here’s how this week’s draft impacted three of the local college programs: San Diego State PLAYERS DRAFTED RD.

— kirk kenney, sandiegouniontribune.com, "San Diego State, UC San Diego and USD assess situations in aftermath of MLB Draft," 9 June 2018
But in a world in which decisions have consequences, jurors quite naturally want to know what impact their verdict might have.

— bill rankin, ajc, "Georgia juries are left in the dark when it comes to punishment," 8 June 2018
There’s also evidence that tipping culture adversely impacts women and people of color in particular.

— mark kurlyandchik, Detroit Free Press, "A fight is brewing in Michigan over restaurant tips," 8 June 2018
Amanda Kass, a researcher at the University of Chicago who has studied the Illinois pension funds crisis, said a law was passed in 2011 impacting pension systems throughout Illinois.

— yadira sanchez olson, Lake County News-Sun, "No layoffs, but underfunded pensions and $1.3 million deficit loom large in North Chicago budget," 6 June 2018
This workshop allows attendees to learn specific tools in navigating and connecting to services available, understand care options and costs, and stay informed on the legislative issues impacting seniors and family caregivers.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The Windsor Locks Edition," 5 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'impact.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Is impact a verb?

You may occasionally run into claims that impact is not a verb, or that it is somehow ill-suited to a role in this part of speech. Not only is that not the case, but the verb form of impact is much older than the noun form. It is possible that the word started attracting more displeasure when it began being widely used in a figurative sense as a transitive verb ("we expect the recession to impact the company"). The word is certainly a verb, although before using it in this manner in writing it is worth considering your audience, and whether members of it are likely to consider this use problematic.

Origin and Etymology of impact

Latin impactus, past participle of impingere to push against — more at impinge

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1601

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

impact Synonyms

impact

noun im·pact \ 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

See impact defined for English-language learners

Examples of impact in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of impact from the Web

While the chances of Cal 3 passing are slim, the hypothetical impact would be felt both on a state and federal level.

— mark murray, NBC News, "Are Democratic prospects looking up in Ohio?," 13 June 2018
All four were impact performers when the team won the Division 1 state title a year ago.

— mark stewart, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Brookfield Central's four-year wonders have laid foundations of state championship program," 13 June 2018
Such an impact would be challenging for immigrant advocates to address quickly.

— tal kopan, CNN, "The massive asylum changes Jeff Sessions tucked into the footnotes," 13 June 2018
Of those alive today, only a small number will leave a lasting impact.

— eric levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "Trump’s North Korean Propaganda Reveals His Contempt for Democracy," 13 June 2018
The candidate supports funding new school construction by implementing developer impact fees, as well as by trimming school system administrative costs and STAT, a controversial technology program.

— libby solomon, baltimoresun.com, "Meet the council candidates in central Baltimore County," 12 June 2018
Packard said the adobe-style resort has seen no impact from the forest closure and credited authorities with putting up signs telling visitors that local businesses are open.

— trevor hughes, USA TODAY, "Wildfires in Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona force closure of large chunks of forest," 12 June 2018
But those considerations don’t have to obscure the whole film, which remains a cinematic feat, and movie with tremendous impact on future works.

— refinery29.com, "Has Roman Polanski Ruined Rosemary's Baby's Legacy? No.," 12 June 2018
Other ways in which climate change contributed to Harvey’s impact—like warmer ocean water and warmer air holding more water vapor—are more obvious.

— scott k. johnson, Ars Technica, "Hurricanes are moving more slowly than they used to," 11 June 2018

First Known Use of impact

1781

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

impact Synonyms

Synonyms

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

bashing, battering, bludgeoning, clobbering, hammering, lambasting, licking, pounding, pummeling (also pummelling), thrashing;

contact, encounter, meeting, touch;

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

IMPACT Defined for English Language Learners

impact

verb

Definition of impact for English Language Learners

: to have a strong and often bad effect on (something or someone)
: to hit (something) with great force

impact

noun

Definition of impact for English Language Learners

: the act or force of one thing hitting another
: a powerful or major influence or effect

IMPACT Defined for Kids

impact

noun im·pact \ ˈim-ˌpakt \

Definition of impact for Students

1 : a striking of one body against another : collision

The meteor's impact left a crater.

2 : a strong effect

He warned of the economic impact.

impact

verb im·pact \ im-ˈpakt \

Definition of impact for Students

impacted; impacting

1 : to have a strong and often bad effect on

This change will impact all schools.

2 : to hit with great force

Learn More about impact

See words that rhyme with impact Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for impact Spanish Central: Translation of impact Nglish: Translation of impact for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of impact for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about impact

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impact

Definition of impact

Examples of impact in a Sentence

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Is impact a verb?

Origin and Etymology of impact

impact Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

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impact

Definition of impact

Examples of impact in a Sentence

Recent Examples of impact from the Web

First Known Use of impact

impact Synonyms

Synonyms

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Synonym Discussion of impact

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IMPACT Defined for English Language Learners

impact

Definition of impact for English Language Learners

impact

Definition of impact for English Language Learners

IMPACT Defined for Kids

impact

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impact

Definition of impact for Students

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