impression

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun impression contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of impression are conception, concept, idea, notion, and thought. While all these words mean "what exists in the mind as a representation (as of something comprehended) or as a formulation (as of a plan)," impression applies to an idea or notion resulting immediately from some stimulation of the senses.

the first impression is of soaring height

When might concept be a better fit than impression?

While in some cases nearly identical to impression, concept may apply to the idea formed by consideration of instances of a species or genus or, more broadly, to any idea of what a thing ought to be.

a society with no concept of private property

How are the words conception and concept related as synonyms of impression?

Conception is often interchangeable with concept; it may stress the process of imagining or formulating rather than the result.

our changing conception of what constitutes art

When would idea be a good substitute for impression?

While the synonyms idea and impression are close in meaning, idea may apply to a mental image or formulation of something seen or known or imagined, to a pure abstraction, or to something assumed or vaguely sensed.

innovative ideas
my idea of paradise

When can notion be used instead of impression?

In some situations, the words notion and impression are roughly equivalent. However, notion suggests an idea not much resolved by analysis or reflection and may suggest the capricious or accidental.

you have the oddest notions

Where would thought be a reasonable alternative to impression?

Although the words thought and impression have much in common, thought is likely to suggest the result of reflecting, reasoning, or meditating rather than of imagining.

commit your thoughts to paper

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 impression There were so many great moments, but one that sticks in my mind is Eddie Murphy doing a spot-on impression of Tracy Morgan. Michael Schneider, Variety, 18 Aug. 2025 The first one didn’t leave much of an impression beyond checking a box on my lifelong film syllabus. Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 18 Aug. 2025 The comedian also met Mark Zuckerberg while doing the show, but made a bad impression. Daysia Tolentino, EW.com, 17 Aug. 2025 What else: Location near park entrance gives a first impression from the parking lot. Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for impression
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impression
Noun
  • Pretty ripe strawberries and red bush fruit, delicate—even with the structure—and a consistently reliable wine that overdelivers and impresses.
    Lana Bortolot, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025
  • Adobe Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve Studio impress on all of these fronts, but there are still some differences between them that might lead you to prefer one over the other.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 9 June 2025
Noun
  • The film deals with a range of ideas within the Chinese-American community regarding mental health, from the son’s Chinese therapist to Irene’s friend who believes he should be treated with herbs and chanting to others in the community who just see his schizophrenia as shameful.
    John Bleasdale, Variety, 15 Aug. 2025
  • Most creators ignore this treasure trove of content ideas.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Published in October 2019 by Ecco, an imprint of HarperCollins, Nothing to See Here is described as a funny and emotional story of class, family, love, and friendship centered on the relationship between Lillian and Madison, two former boarding school friends from completely different backgrounds.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 18 Aug. 2025
  • The follow-up to 2022’s The Sick, the Dying… and the Dead! will be released via Mustaine’s Tradecraft imprint on Frontiers Label Group’s new BLKIIBLK label, and does not yet have a release date, but is expected next year.
    Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 14 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the victims’ families and colleagues.
    Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • Has the thought of chasing Gunther’s historic 666-day reign crossed your mind?
    Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 7 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • In bold print, Target touts a board term limit of 20 years and mandatory retirement at 75.
    Noah Barsky, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
  • Well over one hundred books featuring Paddington eventually appeared, with five more in the series in print between 1959 and 1964 while Bond continued working at BBC.
    Daniel Horowitz August 20, Literary Hub, 20 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • An earlier Cadillac concept called Opulent Velocity debuted at the Quail last year.
    Mark Phelan, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2025
  • Koziol and his father built another novel residential concept for the area in 2019.
    Katie Nixon, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • How little there is in us of justice and humility, how poor is our conception of patriotism….
    Philip Metres July 30, Literary Hub, 30 July 2025
  • This conception of the sea as sterile is, of course, paradoxical, since the oceans supply about 2% of overall human calorie intake and 15% of protein intake – and could likely supply much more.
    Marie-Claire Beaulieu, The Conversation, 28 July 2025
Noun
  • Anybody walking the convention floor will immediately be dispelled of the notion that events like GalaxyCon are only for teenaged boys and middle-aged men nostalgic for their own youth.
    Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2025
  • And that is the most important thing here: if FIFA changes its rules and takes away the notion that a ‘host nation’ would have to give its explicit approval for a match like this to take place in its country, that would completely undermine its members, and that should prompt a huge backlash.
    Michael Cox, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Impression.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impression. Accessed 23 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on impression

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!