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TAKE THE QUIZimpressionistic
adjective
im·pres·sion·is·tic
(ˌ)im-ˌpre-shə-ˈni-stik 
Example Sentences
He wrote an impressionistic account of the battle scene.
Recent Examples on the Web
Nightmare Alley was all about impressions — impressionistic feelings.
—
Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Jan. 2023
The style of the film is actually based on an impressionistic-style painting Stewart created of a man waking from sleep.
—Connor Lynch, Discover Magazine, 10 Oct. 2022
In response, Lawrence was game, but much more impressionistic, with a style more appropriate to a public talk than to a formal debate.
—Sean Carroll, Discover Magazine, 5 Apr. 2011
To judge from this selection, the Northern Virginia artist’s style has evolved to become more impressionistic as her vantage points have become more intimate.
—Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 16 Dec. 2022
For me, lyrics are as impressionistic as any other aspect of the sound.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 5 Nov. 2022
That would be Patrick Modiano, another French writer whose slim, impressionistic narratives trace a line between memory and place.
—David L. Ulin, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2022
Many other audience members were more plainly impressionistic in their responses.
—Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Oct. 2022
Carlos Alfonzo, Mother, 1990.Courtesy LnS Gallery, Miami. Born in Havana in 1950, Carlos Alfonzo came to the U.S. as part of the Mariel boatlift in 1980 and soon built an international career on his vibrantly colorful neo-impressionistic works.
—Dan Allen, NBC News, 5 Oct. 2022
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Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Jan. 2023
The style of the film is actually based on an impressionistic-style painting Stewart created of a man waking from sleep.
—Connor Lynch, Discover Magazine, 10 Oct. 2022
In response, Lawrence was game, but much more impressionistic, with a style more appropriate to a public talk than to a formal debate.
—Sean Carroll, Discover Magazine, 5 Apr. 2011
To judge from this selection, the Northern Virginia artist’s style has evolved to become more impressionistic as her vantage points have become more intimate.
—Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 16 Dec. 2022
For me, lyrics are as impressionistic as any other aspect of the sound.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 5 Nov. 2022
That would be Patrick Modiano, another French writer whose slim, impressionistic narratives trace a line between memory and place.
—David L. Ulin, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2022
Many other audience members were more plainly impressionistic in their responses.
—Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Oct. 2022
Carlos Alfonzo, Mother, 1990.Courtesy LnS Gallery, Miami. Born in Havana in 1950, Carlos Alfonzo came to the U.S. as part of the Mariel boatlift in 1980 and soon built an international career on his vibrantly colorful neo-impressionistic works.
—Dan Allen, NBC News, 5 Oct. 2022
See More
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'impressionistic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Word History
First Known Use
1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near impressionistic
Cite this Entry
“Impressionistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impressionistic. Accessed 30 Jan. 2023.
Kids Definition
impressionistic
adjective
im·pres·sion·is·tic
(ˌ)im-ˌpresh-ə-ˈnis-tik
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