impact

noun

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im·pact | \ ˈim-ˌpakt

plural impacts

Definition of impact

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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 a study outlining the potential environmental impacts of the construction project

impact

verb

im·pact | \ im-ˈpakt

impacted; impacting; impacts

Definition of impact (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : to have a direct effect or impact on : impinge on

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

2a : to fix firmly by or as if by packing or wedging

b : to press together

intransitive verb

1 : to have an impact —often used with on

2 : to impinge or make contact especially forcefully

Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Is impact a verb? More Example Sentences Learn More About impact

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Choose the Right Synonym for impact

Noun

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

Is impact a verb?

Noun

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.

Examples of impact in a Sentence

Noun 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. Verb 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 on the Web: Noun Mayer is bilingual which Cora believes will leave a great impact on the clubhouse. — BostonGlobe.com, 24 July 2021 The company made the move on Friday after two Bolts caught fire without impact recently. — Jamie L. Lareau, Detroit Free Press, 24 July 2021 When the victim impact statements began the next day, Kyle Stephens was first to address Nassar and the judge. — Tim Evans, The Indianapolis Star, 24 July 2021 There is no impact to currently established secondhand stores. — Beth Mlady, cleveland, 23 July 2021 But recent research suggests that many of these hormone standards, which disproportionality impact Black women, are rooted in faulty science. — Washington Post, 23 July 2021 Also making an impact on the ARIA Albums Chart this week is All Over The Place (BMG/ADA), the second set from British rapper and YouTuber KSI. — Lars Brandle, Billboard, 23 July 2021 The cars crashed into the guardrail, and the impact from the truck crushed one of the cars. — Angie Dimichele, sun-sentinel.com, 23 July 2021 Over the past decade, Susan Albright’s dedication and impact for gardeners in Washington County has been profound. — oregonlive, 23 July 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb And behind In-fa, there is a tropical threat for northern and central parts of Japan, which could potentially impact the Olympic Games by early next week. — Jackson Dill, CNN, 22 July 2021 Blue appears to be a long-standing popular color for bathrooms, with Zillow finding in 2017 that homebuyers preferred that shade for their powder rooms and could impact a home's price by as much as $5,000. — Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 22 July 2021 Minneapolis residents should closely watch the City Council deliberations over the next month, because ballot language could impact the outcome of the election. — Star Tribune, 19 July 2021 The NWS Reno office on Twitter said thunderstorms are expected Monday afternoon and could impact areas near Hawthorne, Yerington, Fernley, Fallon and Lovelock in Nevada. — Jessica Flores, San Francisco Chronicle, 19 July 2021 Royal experts have started to weigh in how the change could impact George's sister, Princess Charlotte, who currently attends school with him at Thomas's Battersea in London. — Kayleigh Roberts, Marie Claire, 18 July 2021 Aside from the hardware, Microsoft will also recommend apps, including its productivity suite, that could impact the final cost. — Chris Smith, BGR, 15 July 2021 In years past, biologists have expressed concern about how goldfish could impact Lake Tahoe’s water. — Lydia Wang, refinery29.com, 14 July 2021 Forecasters are also keeping an eye on an incoming cold front that could impact Elsa’s arrival. — Christine Condon, baltimoresun.com, 6 July 2021

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.