impress
1 of 4verb (1)
im·press im-ˈpres 
impressed; impressing; impresses
transitive verb
1
a
: to affect especially forcibly or deeply : gain the admiration or interest of
her honesty impressed us
b
: to produce a vivid impression of
2
a
: to apply with pressure so as to imprint
b
: to produce (something, such as a mark) by pressure
c
: to mark by or as if by pressure or stamping
3
: transfer, transmit
intransitive verb
: to produce an impression
impressibility
im-ˌpre-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē
noun impressible
im-ˈpre-sə-bəl
adjective impress
2 of 4noun (1)
im·press ˈim-ˌpres
also
im-ˈpres 1
: a characteristic or distinctive mark : stamp
the impress of a fresh and vital intelligence is stamped … in his work
Lytton Strachey
Lytton Strachey2
: impression, effect
have an impress on history
3
: the act of impressing
4
a
: a mark made by pressure : imprint
b
: an image of something formed by or as if by pressure
especially : seal
c
: a product of pressure or influence
impress
3 of 4verb (2)
im·press im-ˈpres
impressed; impressing; impresses
transitive verb
1
: to levy or take by force for public service
especially : to force into naval service
2
a
: to procure or enlist by forcible persuasion
b
: force
impressed him into a white coat for the Christmas festivities Nancy Hale
Nancy Haleimpress
4 of 4noun (2)
im·press ˈim-ˌpres
also
im-ˈpres : impressment
Synonyms
Verb (1)
- affect
- impact
- influence
- move
- reach
- strike
- sway
- tell (on)
- touch
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Word History
Etymology
Verb (1)
Middle English, from Latin impressus, past participle of imprimere, from in- + premere to press — more at press
Verb (2)
in- entry 2 + press entry 3
First Known Use
Verb (1)
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2a
Noun (1)
1590, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb (2)
1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun (2)
1602, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
impress
verb
im·press im-ˈpres
impressed; impressing
1
: to produce by stamping, pressing, or printing
impress a design
2
: to affect strongly or deeply and especially favorably
Her talent impressed me.
3
: to give a clear idea of
She impressed on us her concerns.
impresses 1 of 2
noun
as in impressions
a perceptible trace left by pressure the stamp left a smudgy impress on the paper Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- impressions
- imprints
- prints
- marks
- stamps
- signs
- dents
- hollows
- indents
- indentations
- indentures
impresses
2 of 2verb
1
as in affects
to act upon (a person or a person's feelings) so as to cause a response impressed him with the intensity of their musical performance Synonyms & Similar Words
- affects
- influences
- impacts
- touches
- strikes
- inspires
- reaches
- sways
- interests
- fascinates
- dazzles
- bothers
- attracts
- involves
- moves
- disturbs
- enthralls
- concerns
- enthrals
- penetrates
- gets to
- enraptures
- ravishes
- worries
- captivates
- engages
- stirs
- enchants
- tells (on)
- plagues
- entrances
- afflicts
- upsets
- troubles
- tries
- harasses
- perturbs
- pierces
- bewitches
- biases
- transports
- stresses
- allures
- pesters
- disquiets
- smites
- distresses
- flusters
- harries
- colors
- carries away
- agitates
- charms
- wrings
- biasses
- discomforts
- discomposes
- strains
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- bores
- wearies
- palls
- tires
- jades
- underwhelms
2
as in etches
to produce a vivid impression of impressed the importance of safe driving habits by displaying photos of horrific crashes Synonyms & Similar Words
- etches
- engraves
- instills
- ingrains
- infuses
- imbues
- imprints
- brands
- engrains
- inculcates
- infixes
- implants
- sets
- stamps
- enroots
- fixes
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- obliterates
- erases
- expunges
- blots out
3
as in compels
to cause (a person) to give in to pressure after weeks of nagging, they impressed her into going to the masquerade party Synonyms & Similar Words
- compels
- coerces
- forces
- obliges
- obligates
- drives
- intimidates
- constrains
- impels
- pressures
- makes
- presses
- blackmails
- muscles
- bullies
- dragoons
- threatens
- shames
- blackjacks
- sandbags
- browbeats
- twists one's arm
- bulldozes
- terrorizes
- drags
- hectors
- cows
- harasses
- menaces
- badgers
- high-pressures
- hounds
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- allows
- permits
- lets
- argues
- induces
- satisfies
- moves
- convinces
- persuades
- talks (into)
- prevails (on or upon)
- wins (over)