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 Palm trees act as a privacy buffer at the front of the double-gated home, while four rows of vertical wooden beams, presented to dramatic effect by golden uplighting, make a bold first impression from the driveway. —Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 23 July 2025 But Goldin still made a strong first impression on Heat coaches during his first summer league with the organization. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 23 July 2025 The man did not talk with an accent and gave the impression of not being from that area. —Anders Hagstrom, FOXNews.com, 23 July 2025 Here are other initial impressions from the 49ers’ first practice: JAUAN JENNINGS AT WORK Jauan Jennings looks in shape, physical, and very present in his red No. 15 jersey. —Cam Inman, Mercury News, 23 July 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
  • Adobe Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve Studio impress on all of these fronts, but there are still some differences between them that might lead you to prefer one over the other.
    — PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 9 June 2025
  • But, should Neave impress during pre-season, the head coach may even decide to keep him around the first-team setup longer term.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 16 May 2025
Definition of impress
Noun
  • Send ideas and tips to [email protected].
    — Arlyssa D. Becenti, AZCentral.com, 23 July 2025
  • What does the heat index chart look like? To get an idea of how air temperatures and humidity levels produce apparent temperatures, here is the NWS' heat index chart.
    — Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 23 July 2025
Definition of idea
Noun
  • Used by permission of Rodale Books, an imprint of Random House, a division of Penguin Random House LLC, New York.
    — Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 25 July 2025
  • His latest projects show how Gulf states are leaning on music, art, and spectacle to create a global cultural imprint.
    — Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 25 July 2025
Definition of imprint
Noun
  • To no surprise, viewers swarmed the TikTok video's comment section with their thoughts.
    — Skyler Caruso, People.com, 15 July 2025
  • Wang — who was born in Shanghai and grew up in the small town of Northfield, Minn., before moving on to college at New York University — is still humbled by the thought of how many people auditioned for the role.
    — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
Definition of thought
Noun
  • Our country is home to more than 15,000 commercial radio stations and 4,000 television stations, in addition to a sprawling ecosystem of print, cable, and online media.
    — The Editors, National Review, 14 July 2025
  • Part of McGowan’s pitch to donors is that the collapse of traditional print media in much of the country has created a news vacuum that progressive organizations need to fill.
    — Max Tani, semafor.com, 14 July 2025
Definition of print
Noun
  • For his new concept revitalizing the former Nash & Proper space, Jimenez is taking inspiration from popular fast food chains such as In-N-Out and Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, which have compact menus with high-quality ingredients.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2025
  • The news division is, like its counterparts, experimenting with a bevy of concepts to see which ones strike a chord with the younger viewers who use streaming as their primary means of watching video.
    — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 14 July 2025
Definition of concept
Noun
  • The competition helped show off talent from everyday students who, free from conceptions around grades or college concerns, are kids who care about the U.S. and its history.
    — Gabrielle Gillette, Oc Register, 9 July 2025
  • Their conception of the future was published on the cover of The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, which portrayed a clock set at seven minutes to midnight.
    — Jonathon Keats, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Definition of conception
Noun
  • The franchise’s purchase by Disney in 2012 likely subconsciously reinforced the notion that Star Wars is popcorn, family entertainment, not the meaty material that wins acting awards.
    — Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 23 July 2025
  • Cue a slapdash kidnapping and a quest to verify his identity prior to burying him alive, which brings together a rag-tag gang—a bookshop owner, a photographer, her ex, and a bride-to-be—all of whom suffered at the same man’s hands and have their own notions of justice.
    — Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 21 July 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 29 Jul. 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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