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

Their limited series / TV movie counterparts Claire Danes, Carey Mulligan and Sarah Pidgeon will also dress to impress. — Maane Khatchatourian, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026 In Mirrored Language Stop writing to impress and start writing to be found. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for impress

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impress

Noun

But while Jumbo’s has garnered a mythology as a magnet for filmmakers, writers and musicians who collect impressions, the dive’s dancers have shifted from being the subject to the artists.

— Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026
To watch 2026 college football means receiving the impression that all of sports and politics are united in favor of a perfect bill, and none of that is the case.

— Jason Kirk, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of impression

Verb

The platform decides which content receives additional exposure, and that exposure can influence who discovers a creator and whether the creator’s audience grows.

— Sergi Cerrato, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
For the first time anyone could remember, an American administration had used tariffs not for economic reasons but as a tool to influence the internal politics of a friendly democracy.

— Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of influence

Verb

These include etching machines, deposition systems and equipment designed for the manufacture of silicon-carbide power chips.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026
But now it’s etched in stone for all of history that this is not an unsolved case.

— Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of etch

Verb

His brother Tristan was an accessory, the unit said, using physical aggression to coerce the victim.

— Reuters, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
Starting in January, Cohen began making his claims about being coerced into working with the prosecution in the New York case.

— Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of coerce

Verb

While the price of gasoline directly impacts most motorists, the record diesel costs hit people indirectly through inflation.

— Jordan Blum, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2026
Neurological conditions from Parkinson's to spinal trauma can also impact the bladder, but urination frequency issues aren't typically the first or only sign, Roth says.

— Alexandra Frost, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of impact

Browse Nearby Words

impresas

impress

impressed

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Style

“Impress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impress. Accessed 17 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of impress

noun

verb

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