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 Eagles dominated the Chiefs in one of the most impressive performances in Super Bowl history. —Jim Reineking, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025

The former earned an impressive (for an arthouse film) $53.8 million at the box office, while the latter grossed $68.3 million and was nominated for an Oscar for its screenplay. —Brent Lang, Variety, 11 Feb. 2025

Plus, five hours of run time on a single charge is pretty impressive. —Gabrielle Kassel, SELF, 11 Feb. 2025

To further prove Gardner-Johnson's point, the Eagles blitzed Mahomes zero times on Sunday, making Philadelphia's 52.4 pressure rate all the more impressive. —Justin Gest, Newsweek, 10 Feb. 2025

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