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

What impressed me most is that nothing feels overly precious. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 July 2026 La Roja entered the 2010 World Cup as one of the favorites, having won the 2008 European Championships and impressing the world with its style of play, particularly with its out-of-this-world midfield – much like Spain in 2026. — Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for impress

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impress

Noun

Here, The Athletic takes a look at some of the youngsters who will be hoping to make a positive impression.

— Andy Jones, New York Times, 14 July 2026
While the three-paragraph Puck item was hastily aggregated by other media outlets, giving the inaccurate impression a deal was imminent, it also was based on a key assumption.

— Dade Hayes, Deadline, 14 July 2026

Definition of impression

Verb

The war has also affected fertilizer supplies and prices, threatening the planting season and worsening the fate of mostly farming communities in northern Nigeria who have struggled to access their farmlands amid a deadly conflict with armed groups.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 July 2026
The smoke has spread hundreds of miles beyond northwestern Ontario, affecting people far from the fire line.

— Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 18 July 2026

Definition of affect

Verb

One ring found Thursday was engraved with characters believed to be Bhrami script, an ancient Indian writing system.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
The rifle contained one spent cartridge casing and three unfired rounds, which were each engraved with messages, said Sergeant Jennifer Faumuina, an investigator with the State Bureau of Investigation called to testify by prosecutors.

— Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 11 July 2026

Definition of engrave

Verb

Tuesday's hearing was to be part of Arredondo's push to compel federal agents to testify at his trial for allegedly endangering students during the response to the Robb Elementary School mass shooting.

— Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 14 July 2026
The piece is over before the mental picture really develops, which only compels me to start it over again.

— Jayson Greene, Pitchfork, 14 July 2026

Definition of compel

Verb

Offer availability, placement, and display are determined by the third party and may be influenced by compensation and other factors.

— Dan Avery, CNBC, 14 July 2026
Advertisement Parscale's plan was focused in part on influencing the sources from which AI chatbots draw information.

— Eric Cortellessa, Time, 14 July 2026

Definition of influence

Verb

Researchers found that staff pressured and coerced those held there into abandoning immigration claims and accepting removal to third countries if they could not be sent back to their own country.

— Michael Biesecker, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026
That’s one thing; ballplayers love nothing more than throwing around large sums of money to coerce normal humans to do unspeakable tasks.

— Matt Gelb, New York Times, 14 July 2026

Definition of coerce

Verb

The enforcement of regulations like the Digital Markets Act could also potentially impact Apple and Google’s influence over their smartphone software.

— Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 19 July 2026
Such declines can impact muscle strength, bone density, and libido, potentially causing fatigue and weakness.

— Nina Shapiro, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026

Definition of impact

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“Impress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impress. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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