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

• affecting
• emotional
• impactful
• moving
• poignant
• stirring
• touching

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

Cleetus McFarland, the popular automotive YouTuber whose real name is Garrett Mitchell, finished in an impressive P10 in the ARCA Menards Series at Talladega. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Apr. 2025

Head over to Wayfair or keep scrolling to browse more impressive markdowns during the retailer’s biggest sale of the year, Way Day. —Megan Schaltegger, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Apr. 2025

There’s also an impressive discount on this striking coffee table that’s equipped with plenty of functionality. —Clara McMahon, People.com, 26 Apr. 2025

The Rossoneri saw off Inter in impressive fashion over two legs to secure a slot in their first Coppa Italia final in seven years. —Emmet Gates, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1598, 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