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

And promising freshman Gavin Mueller impressed this spring and could challenge Gilbert for snaps. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 21 July 2026 Initially seen as a placeholder for her brother's seat, Graham has impressed her Senate colleagues. — Terry Collins, USA Today, 21 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for impress

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impress

Noun

Liverpool Kevin Keegan’s first meeting with legendary Liverpool manager Bill Shankly left a lasting impression.

— James Pearce, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Slawon’s first impression was polarizing in that his shots weren’t falling, but every other aspect of the game went well.

— Tony East, Forbes.com, 21 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

It is also engraved with that all-important serial number, which marks the moment when the dual-balance timepiece first became commercially available.

— Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 21 July 2026
Knappman, who lives in California, coordinated with his sister in Louisiana and a pair of cousins from Maine and North Carolina to purchase a new headstone engraved with Horan’s name and the dates of her birth and death.

— John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 20 July 2026

Definition of engrave

Verb

There are numerous forces, therefore, that should compel FIFA to rein in its shameless pursuit of ticketing revenue — including the simple fact that there is less wealth in Spain, Portugal and Morocco than there is in North America.

— Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 21 July 2026
Other policy priorities include new legislation that would compel YouTube and TikTok to promote public service content from the BBC and other broadcasters.

— Jake Kanter, Deadline, 21 July 2026

Definition of compel

Verb

DePodesta hypothesized that playing catcher at altitude can potentially influence a hitter on offense, lending credence to the idea that his game might be more complete elsewhere.

— Sam Blum, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Schmidt was charged with three misdemeanors, including second-degree terroristic threatening, disorderly conduct and attempting to influence a public servant, the report states.

— Gabe White, Arkansas Online, 21 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 24 Jul. 2026.

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