percussive

adjective

per·​cus·​sive pər-ˈkə-siv How to pronounce percussive (audio)
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
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.
If the politics are a bit simplistic, the execution is on a level that left the audience in a stunned state as if something percussive had hit them. Allen Salkin, HollywoodReporter, 20 June 2025 Cymbals and other percussive instruments create the sound of thunder and waves lapping against the ship, while the music ebbs and flows like the tumultuous sea. Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 5 June 2025 At his peak, Rich Harrison was an unstoppable percussive force, lacing artists like Amerie and Beyoncé with breathless, stars-shooting instrumentation for some of their greatest hits. Steven J. Horowitz, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2025 The sound is meant to be just as physical For Virgin, Lorde and Stack emphasized the percussive elements above all else. Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 23 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for percussive

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of percussive was in 1598

Cite this Entry

“Percussive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/percussive. Accessed 29 Jun. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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