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 of impressive

• emotional
• exciting
• excitable

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

The Cougars have a better record, but the Longhorns have more impressive wins. —Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2025

Blac Flamingo Coffee Blac Flamingo Coffee is the only cafe of its kind on the island, with an impressive array of coffees and sweet and savory options for breakfast and brunch. —Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 29 Nov. 2025

The cabin-style home’s external features are just as impressive as what’s inside, too. —Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 29 Nov. 2025

Punch and Harding followed up their impressive performances against Florida with two more strong showings against the Badgers. —Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1775, 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