impressive

1 of 2

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

impressiveness

2 of 2

noun

im·​pres·​sive·​ness

-sivnəs, 

-sēv- also -səv-

plural -es

: the quality or state of being impressive

the man's impressiveness was due to his enormous size and thunderous voice

Synonyms of impressive

Adjective

• 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

Adjective

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

Adjective

Food and drink The culinary program—overseen by Chef Eduard Alonso Méndez, a native Costa Rican who was trained in Madrid—is perhaps Play Cativo’s most impressive offering. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 June 2026

There's a lot to love about a vintage bathroom—the charm is off the charts, of course, and the craftsmanship tends to be equally impressive. —Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 12 June 2026

The three-day exhibit, running now through Sunday, features an impressive lineup that includes shirts of legends such as Diego Maradona, Roberto Baggio, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe. —Clemente Lisi, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026

The complex was impressive and ingenious feat of engineering. —Pavlo Fedykovych, CNN Money, 12 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

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