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

The video posted on the university’s official social media accounts asked students to do an impression of McAfee.

— Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
In the dining nook below, designed by Goesling Group, the minimal fixture makes a major impression.

— Amanda Sims, Architectural Digest, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of impression

Verb

Smiling can affect brain chemicals that are associated with positive feelings including endorphins, dopamine and serotonin.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
El Niño is a climate pattern characterized by warmer waters in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean that spur changes in the atmosphere that can affect weather around the world.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of affect

Verb

Each piece is made using a cast-iron mold engraved with CNC technology, creating a subtractive geometry inspired by the rough-hewn stages of marble carving.

— Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026
Apple released a Harry Potter Special Edition iPod in 2005, which featured the Hogwarts Crest laser-engraved on the back, while a 20GB Special Edition U2 iPod was released in 2004.

— Eric Griffith, PC Magazine, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of engrave

Verb

Lawmakers should pass regulations that compel companies to be more transparent about how their algorithms feed young people and promote risky content, or target children based on data on their spending habits, impulsivity, or risk-taking.

— Amy L. Kennedy, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2026
What compelled the British filmmaker to sell his wares to DC Studios bosses James Gunn and Peter Safran as the potential helmer of Clayface was a phrase coined by original screenwriter Mike Flanagan.

— Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of compel

Verb

As voters decide which party can best rescue their chance at the American Dream, political experts say prolonged economic hardship is the defining feature influencing voters in the midterms.

— Amy L. Wong, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
Over the last two years Chuwi has traveled around the globe, and the foursome confirm that will influence their next project.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of influence

Verb

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
This new epoch is one in which the dynamics of the Earth System are shaped by human influence and in which our traces are etched permanently into the planet’s crust.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of etch

Verb

The initiative specifically targets performers who coerce visitors for cash or falsely imply that tipping is mandatory, FOX5 said.

— Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
According to Moscow’s defense intellectuals, Russia may need to change its posture to contain this trend, including by seeking new tools to keep Europe at bay and to coerce it below the nuclear threshold.

— Dmitry Adamsky, Foreign Affairs, 21 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 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of impress

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verb

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