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 Check out my hands-on impressions and the system in action above, followed by more details and plenty of photos below. —Matthew Buzzi, PC Magazine, 23 May 2025 Scribes and sculptors, for the most part, stopped carving significant dates into stone, giving archeologists the eerie impression that Maya history had ended. —Lizzie Wade, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 May 2025 Spending the funds Headlines about universities receiving large grants may leave the impression that such funds are simply added to the institution’s general coffers. —Kelly S. Mix, The Conversation, 22 May 2025 At five feet tall and wide, plants make a big impression in the garden. 04 of 15 Beebalm Botanical Name: Monarda spp. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 22 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
  • House and Senate lawmakers keep circulating big ideas that would go well beyond a narrow fix — and cost taxpayers many billions in doing so.
    — David Greising, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2025
  • While many celebrity documentaries are innocuous self-celebrations produced by the subjects or by their estates, in a more open arrangement, the person behind the camera may have leave to form and express their own ideas about the person in front of it.
    — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2025
Definition of idea
Noun
  • Alex Caruso was one of the last to reach the floor for Oklahoma City, but again made a large imprint, guarding multiple positions and making all three of his 3s.
    — Anthony Slater, New York Times, 21 May 2025
  • Image 1: Excerpted from the book Dykes to Watch Out For, provided courtesy of Mariner Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
    — Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 19 May 2025
Definition of imprint
Noun
  • The thought of sitting out spring practices never crossed star running back Kyren Williams’ mind, despite an ongoing contract negotiation between his representatives and the Los Angeles Rams.
    — Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 29 May 2025
  • And, of course, doing all these things in the presence of clients just shows a complete lack of rational thought.
    — Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 29 May 2025
Definition of thought
Noun
  • The posters are available in the South Shore Arts Gift Shop at The Center for Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road in Munster and priced at $35 to $100 with autographed prints available.
    — Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025
  • In June, the gallery will feature the woodcut prints of Jenn Garrison on textiles and paper.
    — Liz Rothaus Bertrand, Charlotte Observer, 28 May 2025
Definition of print
Noun
  • For instance, many of my coachees/leaders who have grown vertically on their own weren’t familiar with this concept until they were introduced to it in their organization’s professional development program.
    — Liz Guthridge, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
  • During this period, pride was often found capitalized and linked to the Christian concept of the seven deadly sins.
    — Juliana Kim, NPR, 28 May 2025
Definition of concept
Noun
  • That 18 months spans the process from conception of the idea to a new product being on the market.
    — Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025
  • And my reliance on Chatty won’t stop at conception.
    — Anonymous, Vogue, 10 May 2025
Definition of conception
Noun
  • This perhaps more than anything else puts the lie to the notion that the administration wants people to follow the law.
    — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 23 May 2025
  • The images of cars lined up to collect food at distribution facilities are etched in our minds—images that reflect the intrinsic good of the American people and underscore the notion that nonprofits are a force multiplier.
    — Kendra Davenport, Forbes.com, 22 May 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 2 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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