Synonyms of impressive

impressive

adjective

im-ˈpre-siv 

as in emotional

having the power to affect the feelings or sympathies

an impressive play about a loving family attempting to lift themselves out of poverty

Synonyms & Similar Words

• emotional
• exciting
• excitable
• poignant
• passionate
• inspirational
• dramatic
• moving
• impactful
• touching
• eloquent
• stirring
• meaningful
• affecting
• expressive
• theatrical
• significant
• theatric
• feeling
• demonstrative
• responsive
• provoking
• stimulating
• rousing
• sensitive
• melodramatic
• cathartic
• histrionic

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unimpressive
• unemotional
• cool
• cold
• detached
• dispassionate
• unaffecting
• emotionless
• deadpan

Synonym Chooser

How is the word impressive distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of impressive are affecting, moving, pathetic, poignant, and touching. While all these words mean "having the power to produce deep emotion," impressive implies compelling attention, admiration, wonder, or conviction.

an impressive list of achievements

How do affecting and moving relate to one another, in the sense of impressive?

Affecting is close to moving but most often suggests pathos.

an affecting deathbed reunion

When could moving be used to replace impressive?

In some situations, the words moving and impressive are roughly equivalent. However, moving may apply to any strong emotional effect including thrilling, agitating, saddening, or calling forth pity or sympathy.

a moving appeal for contributions

When is it sensible to use pathetic instead of impressive?

The words pathetic and impressive can be used in similar contexts, but pathetic implies moving to pity or sometimes contempt.

pathetic attempts to justify misconduct

When would poignant be a good substitute for impressive?

The synonyms poignant and impressive are sometimes interchangeable, but poignant applies to what keenly or sharply affects one's sensitivities.

a poignant documentary on the homeless

Where would touching be a reasonable alternative to impressive?

The words touching and impressive are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, touching implies arousing tenderness or compassion.

the touching innocence in a child's eyes

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of impressive

Her content — spanning across beauty tutorials, fashion hauls, and lifestyle vlogs — consistently connects with a devoted Gen-Z audience and averages an impressive 34.7 million views per TikTok post. —Katcy Stephan, Variety, 12 Aug. 2025

Tourists have caused traffic jams and, on busy days, have made the city almost completely inaccessible. Alternate: Check out Split, which also has an impressive historical inner city (with fewer walls), or head to Zagreb, which is less crowded but still offers a classic Croatian experience. —Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2025

His dedication and drive have been impressive and, through those French windows in the first team gym, have been clear for most to see. —Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2025

In Sunday's 94-86 victory over the Connecticut Sun—the Aces' fourth straight win—Wilson added another accolade to her already impressive resume. —Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Aug. 2025