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
This device has three intensity speeds that deliver percussive massage therapy straight to sore muscles.
—
Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 23 Jan. 2026
They’re called a percussive instrument.
—Gary Graff, Billboard, 14 Jan. 2026
This preperformance ritual is a kind of micro-percussive calibration, a quiet act of listening before the first public beat is struck.
—Hung Duong, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026
Lopatin used fast, percussive strikes to keep the score melodic, incorporating mallet strikes to mirror the ping-pong balls.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 26 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for percussive
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 23 Jan. 2026
They’re called a percussive instrument.
—Gary Graff, Billboard, 14 Jan. 2026
This preperformance ritual is a kind of micro-percussive calibration, a quiet act of listening before the first public beat is struck.
—Hung Duong, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026
Lopatin used fast, percussive strikes to keep the score melodic, incorporating mallet strikes to mirror the ping-pong balls.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 26 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for percussive
Cite this Entry
“Percussive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/percussive. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
