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impact

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verb

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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

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.
Recent Examples of impact
Noun
Last-minute amendments watered down initial requirements to produce annual impact assessments and mitigate algorithmic discrimination in an attempt to make the bill more palatable to the governor. Angela Eichhorst, Hartford Courant, 15 July 2025 Advertisement Though supporters have billed the measure as a symbolic gesture of budget-cutting resolve, the actual fiscal impact of the package is small. Nik Popli, Time, 15 July 2025
Verb
These changes are poised to impact South Korean beauty exports — which have long entered the U.S. free of duty thanks to the Korea Free Trade Agreement established in 2012 — in a big way. Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 15 July 2025 That rainfall also impacted Sri Lanka’s Port of Colombo, with some transshipment cargo delayed one to two weeks, Kuehne + Nagel said. Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 14 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for impact
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impact
Noun
  • The warning is in effect until 7:15 p.m. Actions to take when lightning threat is imminent Lightning strikes the United States about 25 million times a year.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 19 July 2025
  • There are currently no weather advisories in effect.
    Sofia Joseph, jsonline.com, 19 July 2025
Noun
  • Alcohol was not a factor in the collision, police said.
    City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 July 2025
  • The driver of a red Lexus, 67-year-old Ray Longhi, was killed in the collision as well.
    Maritza Dominguez, AZCentral.com, 16 July 2025
Verb
  • The court's decision could impact the roughly 15 million people who carry a total of about $49 billion in medical debt on their credit reports, a burden that can influence whether lenders decide whether to extend loans like mortgages or auto loans to consumers.
    Anne Marie D. Lee, CBS News, 15 July 2025
  • When a professional athlete is paid to endorse a shoe company in a TV commercial or to influence a brand on social media, that too is use of NIL.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 15 July 2025
Verb
  • The free exhibit is an immersive learning experience for the whole family, even featuring a DJ booth bumping Chicano oldies to enhance the vibe.
    MARIANA GARCIA, Sacbee.com, 18 July 2025
  • Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium shows bumped things up to about $200 to start, while Toronto represents the tour’s luxury market with premium seats hitting $2,162.
    Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 17 July 2025
Verb
  • Those connections made by Ragsdale were also deeply rooted with other camps in the area.
    Abby Roedel, People.com, 19 July 2025
  • He will be missed at Duke, but Blue Devils fans will continue rooting him on in Dallas.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 July 2025
Noun
  • With no traditional risk factors and a dentist who initially dismissed her concerns, the news came as a shock.
    Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 13 July 2025
  • This good news probably comes as a shock to the average American consumer, and certainly to the average Democrat, who earlier this year thought Trump would usher in America’s Dark Ages.
    E.J. Antoni, Boston Herald, 13 July 2025
Noun
  • For You The significance of the change in QSBS provisions goes beyond the founders, investors, and venture-capital firms involved in startups.
    Bruce Brumberg, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • Brazilians considered the capital city, which replaced Rio de Janeiro, a symbol of the nation’s future significance on the world stage.
    Emi Eleode, Time, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • Is There Any Correlation With Peer Earnings? Occasionally, the performance of peers can affect the stock reaction following earnings.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • Helps Protect from Alzheimer’s Disease Alzheimer's disease is a brain disease that affects memory and thinking.
    Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 15 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Impact.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impact. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.

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