Synonyms of impact

impact 1 of 2

noun

ˈim-ˌpakt 

1

as in effect

the power to bring about a result on another

the execution had such a powerful impact on her that she became a crusader for the abolition of capital punishment

Synonyms & Similar Words

• effect
• influence
• consequence
• repercussion
• sway
• importance
• significance
• mark
• prestige
• weight
• domination
• mastery
• pull
• authority
• clout
• dominion
• command
• sovereignty
• supremacy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• weakness
• helplessness
• impotence
• powerlessness
• impotency

2

as in collision

a forceful coming together of two things

the glass shattered immediately upon impact with the floor

Synonyms & Similar Words

• collision
• shock
• crash
• jolt
• thump
• blow
• slam
• bump
• encounter
• concussion
• impingement
• pounding
• slap
• kick
• contact
• strike
• knock
• hit
• punch
• wallop
• jounce
• jar
• smash
• hammering
• buffet
• thrashing
• bashing
• touch
• rap
• meeting
• pummeling
• bludgeoning
• licking
• battering
• clobbering
• lambasting

3

as in effectiveness

the quality of an utterance that provokes interest and produces an effect

the story has real dramatic impact

Synonyms & Similar Words

• effectiveness
• significance
• importance
• punch
• force
• point
• appeal
• forcefulness
• cogency
• payoff
• attraction
• fascination
• charm

impact

2 of 2

verb

im-ˈpakt 

1

as in to influence

to act upon (a person or a person's feelings) so as to cause a response

the tragic loss of his father impacted the boy for the rest of his life

Synonyms & Similar Words

• influence
• affect
• impress
• touch
• strike
• reach
• sway
• interest
• tell (on)
• inspire
• get to
• involve
• move
• bother
• concern
• entrance
• bias
• attract
• disturb
• worry
• penetrate
• carry away
• dazzle
• fascinate
• plague
• distress
• discomfort
• transport
• trouble
• stir
• upset
• engage
• stress
• color
• try
• afflict
• harass
• charm
• pierce
• enrapture
• ravish
• perturb
• enthrall
• smite
• enchant
• disquiet
• agitate
• strain
• allure
• wring
• fluster
• captivate
• discompose
• harry
• pester
• bewitch

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• bore
• weary
• pall
• tire
• jade
• underwhelm

2

as in to bump

to come into usually forceful contact with something

the damage sustained when a car going 40 miles an hour impacts with a brick wall

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bump
• collide
• bang
• slam
• crash
• smash
• hit
• knock
• ram
• impinge
• strike
• thud
• swipe
• bounce
• bash
• rebound
• contact
• glance
• ricochet
• land
• scrape
• push
• brush
• sweep
• touch
• skip
• muscle
• kiss
• clunk
• nudge
• graze
• shave
• skim
• jostle
• carom
• press
• bulldoze

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• miss
• skirt

3

as in to root

to set solidly in or as if in surrounding matter

the bullet was found impacted in the police officer's protective vest

Synonyms & Similar Words

• root
• embed
• lodge
• entrench
• implant
• bed
• put
• fix
• enroot
• place
• ingrain
• imbue
• infuse
• establish
• beat (into)
• stick
• instill
• drive (into)
• settle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• eliminate
• dislodge
• eradicate
• root (out)
• uproot
• remove
• expel
• disconnect
• eject
• detach
• disengage

Synonym Chooser

How is the word impact different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of impact are collision, concussion, and shock. While all these words mean "a forceful, even violent contact between two or more things," impact may be used to imply contact between two things, at least one of which is impelled toward the other.

the glass shattered on impact with the floor

When is it sensible to use collision instead of impact?

The meanings of collision and impact largely overlap; however, collision implies the coming together of two or more things with such force that both or all are damaged or their progress is severely impeded.

the collision damaged the vehicle

In what contexts can concussion take the place of impact?

In some situations, the words concussion and impact are roughly equivalent. However, concussion when not in technical use, often suggests the shattering, disrupting, or weakening effects of a collision, explosion, or blow.

bystanders felt the concussion of the blast

When could shock be used to replace impact?

The synonyms shock and impact are sometimes interchangeable, but shock often denotes the effect produced by a collision and carries the suggestion of something that strikes or hits with force.

the shock of falling rocks

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of impact

Noun

Although the debate today often focuses on immediate impacts such as energy usage, permitting and siting decisions, the more important story is what this infrastructure makes possible over time. — Charley Daitch, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Baldwin, however, downplayed the psychological impact of the announcement. — Jesús Cano, New York Times, 10 July 2026

Verb

The heavy rain Friday is just the start of a multiday flood threat that’s expected to impact areas from the Mid-Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee valleys to the central Appalachians through this weekend. — Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 10 July 2026

With Carlos Lagrange out with a shoulder sprain and forbidden from throwing for approximately six weeks, Cashman was asked how the flamethrowing prospect’s injury might impact the Yankees’ deadline approach to the bullpen. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 10 July 2026