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Synonyms

impressive

American  
[im-pres-iv] / ɪmˈprɛs ɪv /

adjective

  1. having the ability to impress the mind; arousing admiration, awe, respect, etc.; moving; admirable.

    an impressive ceremony; an impressive appearance.
    Synonyms:
    awesome, imposing
impressive British  
/ ɪmˈprɛsɪv /

adjective

  1. capable of impressing, esp by size, magnificence, etc; awe-inspiring; commanding

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • impressively adverb
  • impressiveness noun
  • preimpressive adjective
  • unimpressive adjective
  • unimpressively adverb

Etymology

Origin of impressive

First recorded in 1585–95; impress 1 + -ive

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

You can make rugby as complex as you like but one simple truth remains and Sione Tuipulotu, Scotland's deeply impressive captain, delivered it on Friday.

From BBC

Painting is relatively underrepresented in the show, but what is here is almost universally impressive.

From The Wall Street Journal

The international research team attached tiny GPS trackers to 69 ravens -- an impressive number considering the painstaking work in trapping the particularly observant birds.

From Barron's

Despite an impressive $60 million global opening, some outlets immediately downplayed the achievement, casting doubt on the film’s ability to make a profit on its $90 million production cost.

From Los Angeles Times

Those impressive numbers don’t come easy, and this VPN earned its stars.

From Salon

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.