IMPRESS Synonyms: 134 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'impress' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of impress are affect , influence , strike , sway , and touch . While all these words mean "to produce or have an effect upon," impress stresses the depth and persistence of the effect. // only one of the plans impressed him

Q: When is it sensible to use 'affect' instead of 'impress'?

The words affect and impress can be used in similar contexts, but affect implies the action of a stimulus that can produce a response or reaction. // the sight affected her to tears

Q: When might 'influence' be a better fit than 'impress'?

Although the words influence and impress have much in common, influence implies a force that brings about a change (as in nature or behavior). // our beliefs are influenced by our upbringing

Q: Where would 'strike' be a reasonable alternative to 'impress'?

The meanings of strike and impress largely overlap; however, strike , similar to but weaker than impress , may convey the notion of sudden sharp perception or appreciation. // struck by the solemnity of the occasion

Q: When would 'sway' be a good substitute for 'impress'?

The words sway and impress are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sway implies the acting of influences that are not resisted or are irresistible, with resulting change in character or course of action. // politicians who are swayed by popular opinion

Q: In what contexts can 'touch' take the place of 'impress'?

While the synonyms touch and impress are close in meaning, touch may carry a vivid suggestion of close contact and may connote stirring, arousing, or harming. // plants touched by frost // his emotions were touched by her distress

impress 1 of 2

noun

Definition of impress

as in impression

a perceptible trace left by pressure the stamp left a smudgy impress on the paper

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

impress

2 of 2

verb

im-ˈpres

as in to affect

to act upon (a person or a person's feelings) so as to cause a response impressed him with the intensity of their musical performance

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to engrave

to produce a vivid impression of impressed the importance of safe driving habits by displaying photos of horrific crashes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to compel

to cause (a person) to give in to pressure after weeks of nagging, they impressed her into going to the masquerade party

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb impress differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of impress are affect, influence, strike, sway, and touch. While all these words mean "to produce or have an effect upon," impress stresses the depth and persistence of the effect.

only one of the plans impressed him

When is it sensible to use affect instead of impress?

The words affect and impress can be used in similar contexts, but affect implies the action of a stimulus that can produce a response or reaction.

the sight affected her to tears

When might influence be a better fit than impress?

Although the words influence and impress have much in common, influence implies a force that brings about a change (as in nature or behavior).

our beliefs are influenced by our upbringing

Where would strike be a reasonable alternative to impress?

The meanings of strike and impress largely overlap; however, strike, similar to but weaker than impress, may convey the notion of sudden sharp perception or appreciation.

struck by the solemnity of the occasion

When would sway be a good substitute for impress?

The words sway and impress are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sway implies the acting of influences that are not resisted or are irresistible, with resulting change in character or course of action.

politicians who are swayed by popular opinion

In what contexts can touch take the place of impress?

While the synonyms touch and impress are close in meaning, touch may carry a vivid suggestion of close contact and may connote stirring, arousing, or harming.

plants touched by frost

his emotions were touched by her distress

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 impress

Noun

Upstairs, the layout and square footage impress and make room for everything from family to guests and hobbies. — Miriam Schwartz, Hartford Courant, 29 Mar. 2026 With 1,042 rooms in family-friendly and adults-only areas, this expansive resort impresses. — Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 24 Jan. 2026

Verb

Despite moving up in the AP Poll, the Broncos didn’t do enough to impress the USA Today Coaches’ Poll voters. — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 25 Oct. 2026 The surprise samba left even hard-to-impress Nick Saban, whose rug cutting is limited to boot leg Cupid Shuffle videos on recruiting visits, near speechless. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for impress

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impress

Noun

Ofl the newcomers on the roster, junior guard Trent Lincoln and sophomore forward DJ Thomas made the strongest first impressions.

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Nov. 2026
A lot of these orderly compositions soon give off the impression of a cage — if Mari Kusu’s performance as Takeshi’s mother, bristling with frustration, didn’t already imply as much.

— Kambole Campbell, Variety, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of impression

Verb

The initiative targets the submarine’s internal configuration, where even minor design changes can affect the vessel’s overall balance.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026
Allegations come after CalHR rejected proposals that would affect the state’s budget.

— Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 31 Oct. 2026

Definition of affect

Verb

Most of the models have the Bodum name on their frame and inner lid, as well as engraved on the glass carafes.

— Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2026
For the work, Harvey drew on ancient jewelry in the Met collection from Greece, India, and China, and then spent time in the Manufacture learning guillochage, a technique for engraving intricate patterns like leaves and flowers onto metal.

— Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of engrave

Verb

The entity then asked the court to compel the city to disclose them, and Marshall agreed to do so last month.

— Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2026
The decision does not resolve whether Harvard discriminated or whether it can be compelled to provide applicant-level data on race, grades, test scores and admissions.

— Michael Casey, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of compel

Verb

Johnson allegedly influenced district school board members to approve the purchase, including arranging a meeting between the reseller’s CEO and district officials, according to the complaint.

— Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026
The authors used data from 864 dogs collected in the Dog Aging Project to map patterns of DNA methylation (which influences how much certain genes are turned on or off) across the entire genome.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of influence

Verb

Just upload a photo of a handwritten recipe card to have the exact instructions etched into maple or cherry wood.

— Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2026
Among the terminated is a welder, Choi Ho-seok (Sul Kyung-gu), who wears a frown so implacable that it might have been etched in steel.

— Justin Chang, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of etch

Verb

Locked under floors of concrete and alone in his cell with just a toilet and steel bed, Jurek coerces the man in the cell next to him to bash his head in.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 30 Oct. 2026
But if one spouse was coerced into participating or the arbitrator exceeded the authority the couple had agreed to give them, a court could set the decision aside.

— Asma Uddin, The Conversation, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of coerce

Verb

Our hearts are with the families whose homes and livelihoods have been impacted.

— Ava Berger, NPR, 24 Oct. 2026
And rather than wait for a reason to smile, just making the physical change of literally turning that frown upside down could impact emotions, according to experts.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of impact

Browse Nearby Words

impresas

impress

impressed

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Impress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impress. Accessed 5 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of impress

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