percussive
adjective
per·cus·sive
pər-ˈkə-siv 
1
: of or relating to percussion
especially
: operative or operated by striking
2
: having powerful impact
percussively
adverb
percussiveness
noun
Examples of percussive in a Sentence
The song had a punchy, percussive rhythm.
Recent Examples on the Web
With toney interiors and Icelandic composer Hildur Guðnadóttir’s pulsating percussive soundtrack, DaCosta’s adaptation feels at once like a period piece as well as a fresh, psychological thriller about power and class.
—
Literary Hub, 10 Oct. 2025
Over the course of an hour, a virtuosic guitarist, a singer, and three dancers performed a program of mournful music and percussive dance, their faces set in serious frowns—an integral part of the performance.
—Fiona Mozley, Travel + Leisure, 4 Oct. 2025
Mercury embedded the melodies for the operatic bits in his piano parts, with his percussive performance driving the momentum.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2025
The muffled, percussive sounds of the firing range could be heard through the walls, and my body tensed with every pop.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for percussive
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Literary Hub, 10 Oct. 2025
Over the course of an hour, a virtuosic guitarist, a singer, and three dancers performed a program of mournful music and percussive dance, their faces set in serious frowns—an integral part of the performance.
—Fiona Mozley, Travel + Leisure, 4 Oct. 2025
Mercury embedded the melodies for the operatic bits in his piano parts, with his percussive performance driving the momentum.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2025
The muffled, percussive sounds of the firing range could be heard through the walls, and my body tensed with every pop.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for percussive
Cite this Entry
“Percussive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/percussive. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
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