impact 1 of 2

noun

ˈim-ˌpakt How to pronounce impact (audio)
Definition of impactnext
1
as in effect
the power to bring about a result on another the execution had such a powerful impact on her that she became a crusader for the abolition of capital punishment

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in collision
a forceful coming together of two things the glass shattered immediately upon impact with the floor

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in effectiveness
the quality of an utterance that provokes interest and produces an effect the story has real dramatic impact

Synonyms & Similar Words

impact

2 of 2

verb

im-ˈpakt How to pronounce impact (audio)
1
as in to influence
to act upon (a person or a person's feelings) so as to cause a response the tragic loss of his father impacted the boy for the rest of his life

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to bump
to come into usually forceful contact with something the damage sustained when a car going 40 miles an hour impacts with a brick wall

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to root
to set solidly in or as if in surrounding matter the bullet was found impacted in the police officer's protective vest

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word impact different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of impact are collision, concussion, and shock. While all these words mean "a forceful, even violent contact between two or more things," impact may be used to imply contact between two things, at least one of which is impelled toward the other.

the glass shattered on impact with the floor

When is it sensible to use collision instead of impact?

The meanings of collision and impact largely overlap; however, collision implies the coming together of two or more things with such force that both or all are damaged or their progress is severely impeded.

the collision damaged the vehicle

In what contexts can concussion take the place of impact?

In some situations, the words concussion and impact are roughly equivalent. However, concussion when not in technical use, often suggests the shattering, disrupting, or weakening effects of a collision, explosion, or blow.

bystanders felt the concussion of the blast

When could shock be used to replace impact?

The synonyms shock and impact are sometimes interchangeable, but shock often denotes the effect produced by a collision and carries the suggestion of something that strikes or hits with force.

the shock of falling rocks

How is the word impact different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of impact are collision, concussion, and shock. While all these words mean "a forceful, even violent contact between two or more things," impact may be used to imply contact between two things, at least one of which is impelled toward the other.

the glass shattered on impact with the floor

When is it sensible to use collision instead of impact?

The meanings of collision and impact largely overlap; however, collision implies the coming together of two or more things with such force that both or all are damaged or their progress is severely impeded.

the collision damaged the vehicle

In what contexts can concussion take the place of impact?

In some situations, the words concussion and impact are roughly equivalent. However, concussion when not in technical use, often suggests the shattering, disrupting, or weakening effects of a collision, explosion, or blow.

bystanders felt the concussion of the blast

When could shock be used to replace impact?

The synonyms shock and impact are sometimes interchangeable, but shock often denotes the effect produced by a collision and carries the suggestion of something that strikes or hits with force.

the shock of falling rocks

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 impact
Noun
The impact sends both men hurling to the pavement, and the shoeless rear passenger can be seen hobbling on one foot afterward, the footage shows. —Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 2 Apr. 2026 For Mbesa, the impact is already clear. —ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
Still, nearly every single day in 2025 had at least one hour that exceeded the 36 hour cap — which means that, if flight patterns stayed exactly the same, nearly every day during the next six months of runway construction could be impacted in some way. —Danielle Echeverria, San Francisco Chronicle, 2 Apr. 2026 This season, that tax break has seen a surge of popularity, which could impact its future, experts say. —Kate Dore, Cfp®, Ea, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for impact
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impact
  1. effect
  2. collision
  3. effectiveness
  4. influence
  5. bump
  6. root
  7. shock
  8. significance
Noun
  • Nature has an orienting effect.
    — Megan Feringa, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2026
  • The law to making firing squad the primary means of execution will go into effect on July 1.
    — Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 1 Apr. 2026
Definition of effect
Noun
  • After the first collision, Beavers' truck continued north, rolled onto its left side, and hit the sound barrier wall on the right shoulder.
    — Christopher Harris, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Although embedded in spectacle culture, these events occasionally presented the possibility of truly poetic clashes between languages and artistic traditions—what Glissant calls an éclat, collisions that create sparks of novelty.
    — Daniel Birnbaum, Artforum, 2 Apr. 2026
Definition of collision
Noun
  • The bill proposes creating a comparative effectiveness review process for prescription drugs on the Medicaid formulary.
    — James Hart, Hartford Courant, 30 Mar. 2026
  • No injuries were reported among passengers or crew, underscoring the effectiveness of both onboard procedures and ground coordination.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 30 Mar. 2026
Definition of effectiveness
Verb
  • Across a wide range of practice areas, from corporate law and litigation to emerging fields influenced by technology and global policy, today’s most influential lawyers are distinguished by their vision, dedication, and ability to adapt in a rapidly changing environment.
    — Nia Bowers, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Violet tones, influenced by interest in space and futuristic aesthetics, and orange hues inspired by natural landscapes and photography trends are both gaining attention, according to the report.
    — Thomas Westerholm, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Definition of influence
Verb
  • Then Buttered Popcorn dethroned it in 1998, bumping the cherry classic from its perch.
    — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2026
  • In practice, though, the list is largely made up of people who bump into each other at the Century Association or the Center for Architecture; even firms that originated abroad, like Snøhetta (Norway) and BIG (Denmark), have essentially become local.
    — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 1 Apr. 2026
Definition of bump
Verb
  • In Ann Arbor, fans are expected to be out in full force, rooting the team on.
    — Terell Bailey, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Balle is so unbelievably good at rooting her narrator down into exorbitant details in the midst of an utterly ungrounded premise (being stuck in November 18th).
    — Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 3 Apr. 2026
Definition of root
Noun
  • In the following months, painful shocks radiated through her chest and back.
    — Brett Kelman, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Unlike past economic shocks to the system, such as the Great Recession or Covid, there will be fewer tools for the government to use to lessen the blow for businesses and consumers.
    — Kevin Williams, CNBC, 4 Apr. 2026
Definition of shock
Noun
  • Parishioners said this Holy Week has extra significance with a Chicago native in Pope Leo XIV leading the Catholic church.
    — Victor Jacobo, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Her engaging novels feature memorable characters facing unique and complex circumstances, often against a backdrop of historical significance.
    — News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
Definition of significance

Browse Nearby Words

imp
impact
impacted
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Impact.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impact. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on impact

Nglish: Translation of impact for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about impact

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of verdant

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Are You Misusing These 10 Common Words?

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

12 Words for Signs of Spring

The Opposite of Déjà Vu

The Words of the Week - Apr. 3

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?

17 Words for Dog Breeds
See More

Popular

See More

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

12 Words for Signs of Spring

The Opposite of Déjà Vu
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
8-track-tapes
Good Old-Fashioned Quiz Can you name these antiquated items?
See All