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

Examples of impressive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Many areas also boast impressive art works, including some by Damien Hirst. —Elise Taylor, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2024

An impressive regular season campaign ended with New York securing the No. 2 seed in the East, but the team’s postseason was derailed by injuries to Jaylen Brunson, Julius Randle, OG Anunoby and Mitchell Robinson, eventually losing in Game 7 of the conference semifinals to the Indiana Pacers. —Matias Grez, CNN, 22 Oct. 2024

Latto’s impressive Sugar Honey Iced Tea was acclaimed by fans, and sold 29,000 album-equivalent units the week of its release. —Jessica Bennett, VIBE.com, 21 Oct. 2024

Sherman Oaks Notre Dame has its own impressive trio of Tyran Stokes, Lino Mark and Zachary White. —Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2024