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 The blocks represent some of the highest-trafficked areas during baseball games and concerts, and often provide stadium-goers with their first impression of downtown San Diego and the Padres organization. —Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 June 2025 The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i doesn’t make a compelling first impression, but neither do many $500 laptops. —PC Magazine, 5 June 2025 Each made a moment — not by maximizing impressions but by taking creative risks no spreadsheet could predict. —Remy Blumenfeld, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2025 Okonkwo made a huge impression in north Wales and his move was made permanent last summer on a free transfer. —Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 28 May 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
  • Nearby, the quality of fresh seafood impresses at a bustling wet market.
    — Laura Manske, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
  • Christine Rucci, denim expert and founder of Godmother NYC, Inc., is less impress with recent efforts to subvert.
    — Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 6 May 2025
Definition of impress
Noun
  • Our results challenge a growing idea that hydrogen will be the 'Swiss army knife of decarbonization' and suggest that the opportunities for hydrogen may be narrower than previously thought.
    — Amira El-Fekki‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
  • Per usual, the old and new world methods clash over topics like whether to physically restrain Emma to a bed, and Theophilus is convinced that anything that looks like rational evidence against his ideas is just Satan manipulating everyone’s brain.
    — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 4 June 2025
Definition of idea
Noun
  • The collection will be available on Aug. 26 through Amazon Original Stories, an imprint of Amazon Publishing.
    — Charna Flam, People.com, 6 June 2025
  • The Listeners by Maggie Stiefvater is available from Viking, an imprint of Penguin Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House, LLC.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 June 2025
Definition of imprint
Noun
  • Monday’s announcement of the WBD split included thoughts that TNT Sports could be licensed out to HBO Max, licensed to another entity entirely or even spun off into another separate company.
    — John Cassillo, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • There’s plenty of humor also in individual thoughts on their biggest but frothiest hit.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 9 June 2025
Definition of thought
Noun
  • The first print edition of Robb Report en Español will debut in Spain later this year, further strengthening the brand’s presence in Europe.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 9 June 2025
  • Most notably, the Air Jordan 3 RM’s silhouette dons a lower cut than the traditional Air Jordan 3 and also lacks the signature elephant print overlays of the original design.
    — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 7 June 2025
Definition of print
Noun
  • The Philadelphia location opens in the next few weeks after a successful pop-up of the concept last summer.
    — Brendan Coffey, Sportico.com, 9 June 2025
  • The book’s title is, of course, inspired by the goats that supply the milk that powers Beekman 1802’s microbiome-supporting products, and the overall concept of building a great, sustainable business.
    — Emily Burns, Footwear News, 9 June 2025
Definition of concept
Noun
  • Introducing the film ahead of the screening, Serkis reflected on the project’s turbulent journey from conception to completion.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 11 June 2025
  • Alas, Courtney’s conception of the film’s true dangerous animal is where the story truly runs aground.
    — Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025
Definition of conception
Noun
  • Many of the pointed questions that Cruz Guerrero sought answers to in the text revolved around fatherhood, namely the elusive notion of work-life balance.
    — Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025
  • The very notion of shared destiny and collective goals is fading.
    — Sturla Henriksen, Time, 5 June 2025
Definition of notion

Browse Nearby Words

impressing
impression
impressionability
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Impression.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impression. Accessed 17 Jun. 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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