IMPRESS Synonyms: 134 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'impress' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of impress are affect , influence , strike , sway , and touch . While all these words mean "to produce or have an effect upon," impress stresses the depth and persistence of the effect. // only one of the plans impressed him

Q: When is it sensible to use 'affect' instead of 'impress'?

The words affect and impress can be used in similar contexts, but affect implies the action of a stimulus that can produce a response or reaction. // the sight affected her to tears

Q: When might 'influence' be a better fit than 'impress'?

Although the words influence and impress have much in common, influence implies a force that brings about a change (as in nature or behavior). // our beliefs are influenced by our upbringing

Q: Where would 'strike' be a reasonable alternative to 'impress'?

The meanings of strike and impress largely overlap; however, strike , similar to but weaker than impress , may convey the notion of sudden sharp perception or appreciation. // struck by the solemnity of the occasion

Q: When would 'sway' be a good substitute for 'impress'?

The words sway and impress are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sway implies the acting of influences that are not resisted or are irresistible, with resulting change in character or course of action. // politicians who are swayed by popular opinion

Q: In what contexts can 'touch' take the place of 'impress'?

While the synonyms touch and impress are close in meaning, touch may carry a vivid suggestion of close contact and may connote stirring, arousing, or harming. // plants touched by frost // his emotions were touched by her distress

impress 1 of 2

noun

Definition of impress

as in impression

a perceptible trace left by pressure the stamp left a smudgy impress on the paper

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

impress

2 of 2

verb

im-ˈpres

as in to affect

to act upon (a person or a person's feelings) so as to cause a response impressed him with the intensity of their musical performance

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to engrave

to produce a vivid impression of impressed the importance of safe driving habits by displaying photos of horrific crashes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to compel

to cause (a person) to give in to pressure after weeks of nagging, they impressed her into going to the masquerade party

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb impress differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of impress are affect, influence, strike, sway, and touch. While all these words mean "to produce or have an effect upon," impress stresses the depth and persistence of the effect.

only one of the plans impressed him

When is it sensible to use affect instead of impress?

The words affect and impress can be used in similar contexts, but affect implies the action of a stimulus that can produce a response or reaction.

the sight affected her to tears

When might influence be a better fit than impress?

Although the words influence and impress have much in common, influence implies a force that brings about a change (as in nature or behavior).

our beliefs are influenced by our upbringing

Where would strike be a reasonable alternative to impress?

The meanings of strike and impress largely overlap; however, strike, similar to but weaker than impress, may convey the notion of sudden sharp perception or appreciation.

struck by the solemnity of the occasion

When would sway be a good substitute for impress?

The words sway and impress are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sway implies the acting of influences that are not resisted or are irresistible, with resulting change in character or course of action.

politicians who are swayed by popular opinion

In what contexts can touch take the place of impress?

While the synonyms touch and impress are close in meaning, touch may carry a vivid suggestion of close contact and may connote stirring, arousing, or harming.

plants touched by frost

his emotions were touched by her distress

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of impress

Noun

With 1,042 rooms in family-friendly and adults-only areas, this expansive resort impresses. — Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 24 Jan. 2026 But the lead did impress because Tampa had everything to play for, in a fight with Carolina to win the sad NFC South and claim the conference’s final available playoff spot. — Miami Herald, 28 Dec. 2025

Verb

Several players had a chance when the team’s starter went down with a broken foot and Guthrie’s arm impressed. — Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026 Both Michael Taaffe, a 2026 fifth-round pick, and Zayne Anderson, a former Green Bay Packers special teams contributor the Dolphins brought with them, haven’t impressed enough to lock in starting roles. — Omar Kelly august 25, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for impress

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impress

Noun

After testing multiple new hatchbacks, sedans, minivans, cargo vans, family SUVs and more, here are my top 10 best new vehicles of 2026 so far based on my driving impressions, rankings and overall value propositions.

— Charles Singh, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
Ben’s view Analysis of China is often so polarized that a casual observer might get the impression that Beijing is both an unstoppable force on the verge of global domination and a precarious dictatorship on the brink of collapse.

— Ben Bland, semafor.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of impression

Verb

The instruments can move with greater flexibility than the human hand, while the system filters out natural hand tremors that could affect delicate movements.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
The gesture continues a pattern for Swift, who has a long history of quietly funding GoFundMe campaigns for fans and strangers facing medical emergencies, including past donations to families affected by natural disasters and accidents.

— Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of affect

Verb

Genesis claims that this Wing Face Micro Lens Array is an industry first and required a special laser-engraving process to execute.

— Marco Della Cava, Robb Report, 24 Aug. 2026
Vuitton’s Pharrell Williams, meanwhile, sent out models sporting dangling silver bands daintily engraved with the brand’s LV monogram.

— Max Berlinger, Vogue, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of engrave

Verb

Goodness knows what happened there and what circumstances compelled him to write that Instagram post, but his future at Spurs now looks untenable.

— Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
When the internet is rife with influence and inspiration, who gets credit when someone is compelled to buy something online?

— Tom Matsuda, Vogue, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of compel

Verb

Physical activity, blood pressure, hearing loss, smoking, social isolation, sleep, nutrition, stress management and recovery can all influence our long-term health.

— Mick Safron, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
In the 19th century, flamenco dancers began using the abanico as an expressive prop, as Cuban song and dance styles such as the guajira influenced the dance form.

— ABC News, ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of influence

Verb

Chinese manufacturers have expanded from areas including etching and deposition into ion implantation, inspection and metrology, according to Goldman.

— Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Gal Gadot aside, the most prominent version of Wonder Woman etched in our collective cultural memory—the one from the classic comic strips and the TV series starring Lynda Carter—features her pointed tiara with a central red star.

— Giorgia Olivieri, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of etch

Verb

Stewart doesn’t make excuses for missing the targets, even though Goodyear’s business, like many, has been impacted by tariffs, inflated raw material costs, and the expansion of cheaper Chinese products.

— Michael Wayland, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026
Before Turner, cattle grazing, logging, and mining impacted portions of the property for decades.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of impact

Browse Nearby Words

impresas

impress

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Impress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impress. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of impress

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