impression

noun

im-ˈpre-shən How to pronounce impression (audio)
Definition of impressionnext
1
as in impress
a perceptible trace left by pressure a shoe impression in the dirt that could lead police to the culprit

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in idea
something imagined or pictured in the mind had a vague impression that the guide would be female

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun impression contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of impression are conception, concept, idea, notion, and thought. While all these words mean "what exists in the mind as a representation (as of something comprehended) or as a formulation (as of a plan)," impression applies to an idea or notion resulting immediately from some stimulation of the senses.

the first impression is of soaring height

When might concept be a better fit than impression?

While in some cases nearly identical to impression, concept may apply to the idea formed by consideration of instances of a species or genus or, more broadly, to any idea of what a thing ought to be.

a society with no concept of private property

How are the words conception and concept related as synonyms of impression?

Conception is often interchangeable with concept; it may stress the process of imagining or formulating rather than the result.

our changing conception of what constitutes art

When would idea be a good substitute for impression?

While the synonyms idea and impression are close in meaning, idea may apply to a mental image or formulation of something seen or known or imagined, to a pure abstraction, or to something assumed or vaguely sensed.

innovative ideas
my idea of paradise

When can notion be used instead of impression?

In some situations, the words notion and impression are roughly equivalent. However, notion suggests an idea not much resolved by analysis or reflection and may suggest the capricious or accidental.

you have the oddest notions

Where would thought be a reasonable alternative to impression?

Although the words thought and impression have much in common, thought is likely to suggest the result of reflecting, reasoning, or meditating rather than of imagining.

commit your thoughts to paper

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 impression It’s been six years since Leaving Neverland left an indelible impression on Michael Jackson’s legacy. —Jake Kanter, Deadline, 13 Mar. 2025 While those numbers are hugely impression, what’s really crazy is the McLaren W1’s power-to-weight ratio relative to its predecessors. —Karl Brauer, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025 My initial impression was rather puzzling—was this a hotel, a clinic, or a clinic disguised as a hotel? —Tiziana Cardini, Vogue, 11 Mar. 2025 Beecham now has three podcasts and two shows under the Enjoy Basketball umbrella reaching over 1 million fans across all platforms, and generating over 120 million impressions monthly. —Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for impression
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impression
  1. impress
  2. idea
  3. imprint
  4. thought
  5. print
  6. concept
  7. conception
  8. notion
Noun
  • Beyond their unique looks, the (3a) and (3a) Pro impress with their 6.77-inch screens, 120Hz adaptive refresh rates, and 3,000 nits of brightness while playing HDR content.
    — Eric Zeman, PCMAG, 7 Mar. 2025
  • The 61-year-old actress was dressed to the impress to host a fundraising event for the National Women's History Museum.
    — Catherine Santino, Peoplemag, 25 June 2024
Definition of impress
Noun
  • Then Sterling did some less effective things and got suspended anyway, so that mad idea was, at least, parked for the time being.
    — Amy Lawrence, The Athletic, 13 Mar. 2025
  • This means that if Treasury would simply revalue its gold at prices closer to today’s price of about $2900 per ounce, Tariff or Tax Revenues Collected in Bitcoin A more experimental idea involves collecting certain taxes, fees, or tariffs in bitcoin.
    — Dave Birnbaum, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of idea
Noun
  • Available from Da Capo, an imprint of Hachette Book Group, Inc.
    — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 2025
  • With passion, the filmmakers expose the lasting imprints of colonialism while celebrating activism and the fight of two female friends for truly accessible public spaces; places where people can engage with their own narratives and histories.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of imprint
Noun
  • Here’s a breakdown of the rest of the firm’s thoughts on trends for 2025.
    — Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Especially now, as inflation soars and tariffs loom and the trend cycle is more aggressive than ever, the thought of dropping upwards of $3,000 on a handbag might feel outré.
    — Perrie Samotin, Glamour, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of thought
Noun
  • The new Lilly Hearts Disney print is quintessential LP, with tropical blues, pinks, and greens in a floral pattern.
    — Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 17 Mar. 2025
  • She was impressed by the exquisiteness and fantasy of the woodblock prints.
    — Lisa Wong Macabasco, Vogue, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of print
Noun
  • Wong drew inspiration from the philatelic concept of tête-bêche — two identical stamps linked together, with one flipped upside down — for the restaurant logo, while his cinematic style influenced its interior decor.
    — Denni Hu, WWD, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Inspired by artificial general intelligence (AGI) concepts, these systems will predict failures, reconfigure workflows and autonomously balance efficiency with sustainability, unlocking new levels of resilience in asset-intensive industries.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of concept
Noun
  • Successful organizations track engagement rates, ROI and the life cycle of ideas, from conception to implementation.
    — Ludwig Melik, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
  • The full-service company will look to take film and TV projects from conception through to delivery.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of conception
Noun
  • The implementation was much delayed due to a whole slew of factors, from states opposing the very notion to later delays caused by the pandemic to the usual governmental slowness.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2025
  • In a sworn legal declaration, Flick claimed that DOGE officials arrived at SSA with preconceived notions of widespread fraud, despite no evidence to support such claims.
    — Dan Cody, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of notion

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Cite this Entry

“Impression.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impression. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on impression

Nglish: Translation of impression for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about impression

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