percussive

adjective

per·​cus·​sive pər-ˈkə-siv 

1

: of or relating to percussion

especially : operative or operated by striking

2

: having powerful impact

percussively adverb

percussiveness noun

Examples of percussive in a Sentence

The song had a punchy, percussive rhythm.

Recent Examples on the Web

During her first bombing, Ginny had run for shelter into a perfume shop, where the proprietress methodically moved each bottle from the streetfront vitrine into a neat line on the floor as the dust from the percussive bombs blotted out the sun. —Literary Hub, 24 Feb. 2026

But others, where relentless, shelter-soaking rain is the aggressor, are no less vivid and terrifying, amplified by the rattling, percussive intensity of extraordinary sound design by Lena Esquenazi, Valeria Mancheva and Antonio Porem. —Guy Lodge, Variety, 22 Feb. 2026

Sounds from the Linn were shot through the Fairlight and sequenced into percussive melodies. —Andy Cush, Pitchfork, 15 Feb. 2026

This device has three intensity speeds that deliver percussive massage therapy straight to sore muscles. —Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 23 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1