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

With 1,042 rooms in family-friendly and adults-only areas, this expansive resort impresses. — Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 24 Jan. 2026 But the lead did impress because Tampa had everything to play for, in a fight with Carolina to win the sad NFC South and claim the conference’s final available playoff spot. — Miami Herald, 28 Dec. 2025

Verb

The move impressed the architects who viewed it as an interesting way to think about community and its connection to the neighborhood. — Lisa Boone, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026 The southern California native was an FCS Freshman All-American at Sac State two years ago and impressed in Sac State’s spring game in April. — Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for impress

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impress

Noun

While the Giants are likely to pursue catching help this winter, Vitello was comfortable saying that Susac made a solid impression.

— Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026
The scratchy, sketchy linework goes for an impression of people and places rather than strictly realistic representation; the backgrounds mostly stripped away.

— Kambole Campbell, Variety, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of impression

Verb

Other governments, including the US, have their own rules and disclosure requirements, but beyond the breadth of the controls in China, the sheer number of people affected is striking – and reaches far beyond civil servants.

— Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
That, like this year, was an El Niño year, when a warming of the Pacific near the equator increases Pacific hurricane activity and affects weather patterns across the globe.

— Jennifer Sinco Kelleher, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of affect

Verb

Ultimately, if the state steps in with loans, the district would be compelled to cede day-to-day management to an outside caretaker, reducing the district’s board and administration to bystanders.

— Dan Walters, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026
For her sophomore film, de Araújo remains compelled to tell unnerving stories that are ripped from real-life events.

— Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of compel

Verb

Etzel said the executive order is also intended to put pressure on states that establish vaccine requirements for schools, while potentially setting up additional legal challenges over the federal government’s authority to influence vaccine policy.

— Adisa Hargett-Robinson, The Washington Examiner, 12 Aug. 2026
Artificial intelligence and the data center boom are influencing many things across Georgia, ranging from politics and technology to debates over energy, water consumption and land use.

— Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of influence

Verb

John West, chief analyst for semiconductor equipment at Yole Group, said wafer-level processing remains the foundation of the semiconductor industry, while growing investment is raising demand for more intensive deposition and etching processes.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 16 Aug. 2026
Participants make vision boards out of magazine clippings and shoe boxes, write letters to their future selves etched in marker.

— Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of etch

Verb

Police report no injuries as of publication, but did warn traffic may be impacted.

— Matthew Ablon, Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2026
Agrella said the move inside was to not have weather impact the event and that staggering the times allowed teams to have greater exposure to media members.

— Jack Murray, Boston Herald, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of impact

Browse Nearby Words

impresas

impress

impressed

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Impress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impress. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of impress

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on impress

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

oxymoron

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Is “GIF” Pronounced “Jiff” or “Giff”?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes