impressive

adjective

im·​pres·​sive im-ˈpre-siv 

: making or tending to make a marked impression : having the power to excite attention, awe, or admiration

an impressive display of skill

impressively adverb

impressiveness noun

Synonyms

• affecting
• emotional
• impactful
• moving
• poignant
• stirring
• touching

Choose the Right Synonym for impressive

moving, impressive, poignant, affecting, touching, pathetic mean having the power to produce deep emotion.

moving may apply to any strong emotional effect including thrilling, agitating, saddening, or calling forth pity or sympathy.

a moving appeal for contributions

impressive implies compelling attention, admiration, wonder, or conviction.

an impressive list of achievements

poignant applies to what keenly or sharply affects one's sensitivities.

a poignant documentary on the homeless

affecting is close to moving but most often suggests pathos.

an affecting deathbed reunion

touching implies arousing tenderness or compassion.

the touching innocence in a child's eyes

pathetic implies moving to pity or sometimes contempt.

pathetic attempts to justify misconduct

Examples of impressive in a Sentence

He has an impressive vocabulary for a 10-year-old.

Her first performance was very impressive.

He has an impressive manner.

Recent Examples on the Web

The design focuses on modernising the space while remaining true to its heritage, with the glass atrium remaining as an impressive ceiling feature. —Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024

The impressive viewership caps off a WNBA season that saw viewership, engagement and attendance up across the board. —Jake Piazza, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2024

Right now, Walmart has impressive savings on shoe racks, storage bins, spice racks, and more organizational must-haves. —Maggie Horton, People.com, 22 Oct. 2024

His first-ever Oklahoma Mushroom Festival brought out an impressive 1,700 attendees. —Robert Johnson, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

impressive

adjective

im·​pres·​sive im-ˈpres-iv 

: having the power to impress the mind or feelings

an impressive speech

impressively adverb

impressiveness noun