Impressive describes something that creates admiration because of its quality, scale, skill, or effect. Different alternatives vary in strength and in what exactly earns the admiration.
Which Compliment Fits Best?
For Impressive, the 14 options below are arranged by meaning and use. The quick list matches the detailed entries and examples that follow.
- Remarkable
- Outstanding
- Exceptional
- Striking
- Astonishing
- Breathtaking
- Stunning
- Extraordinary
- Magnificent
- Commendable
- Spectacular
- Noteworthy
- Formidable
- Awe-inspiring
Remarkable
“Remarkable” means worthy of attention because it is unusual or excellent. It is a more precise alternative to Impressive when that particular nuance is the one you need.
Example: A sentence focused on worthy of attention because it is unusual or excellent can use “Remarkable” without simply repeating “Impressive”.
Outstanding
“Outstanding” means clearly superior to the usual standard. It is a more precise alternative to Impressive when that particular nuance is the one you need.
Example: The alternative “Outstanding” is most useful when clearly superior to the usual standard is the nuance the writer wants.
Exceptional
“Exceptional” means unusually good or rare in quality. It is a more precise alternative to Impressive when that particular nuance is the one you need.
Example: A draft about unusually good or rare in quality might replace “Impressive” with “Exceptional” for greater precision.
Striking
“Striking” means immediately noticeable and visually or mentally powerful. It is a more precise alternative to Impressive when that particular nuance is the one you need.
Example: When immediately noticeable and visually or mentally powerful is the main idea, “Striking” can be the cleaner wording choice.
Astonishing
“Astonishing” means so surprising or extraordinary that it causes amazement. It is a more precise alternative to Impressive when that particular nuance is the one you need.
Example: The wording “Astonishing” suits a sentence in which the emphasis falls on so surprising or extraordinary that it causes amazement.
Breathtaking
“Breathtaking” means extremely beautiful or dramatic in effect. It is a more precise alternative to Impressive when that particular nuance is the one you need.
Example: A writer comparing near-synonyms might choose “Breathtaking” for the sense involving extremely beautiful or dramatic in effect.
Stunning
“Stunning” means extremely attractive, surprising, or effective. It is a more precise alternative to Impressive when that particular nuance is the one you need.
Example: In an edited sentence, “Stunning” can carry the part of “Impressive” connected with extremely attractive, surprising, or effective.
Extraordinary
“Extraordinary” means far beyond what is ordinary or expected. It is a more precise alternative to Impressive when that particular nuance is the one you need.
Example: If the intended nuance is far beyond what is ordinary or expected, “Extraordinary” is a plausible substitute for “Impressive”.
Magnificent
“Magnificent” means grand, beautiful, or excellent on an impressive scale. It is a more precise alternative to Impressive when that particular nuance is the one you need.
Example: The phrase “Magnificent” belongs naturally in writing where the important idea is grand, beautiful, or excellent on an impressive scale.
Commendable
“Commendable” means deserving praise because of effort, conduct, or quality. It is a more precise alternative to Impressive when that particular nuance is the one you need.
Example: For prose that highlights deserving praise because of effort, conduct, or quality, “Commendable” can sharpen the wording.
Spectacular
“Spectacular” means dramatic and exciting to see or experience. It is a more precise alternative to Impressive when that particular nuance is the one you need.
Example: A revision may use “Spectacular” where “Impressive” would be too broad for a context about dramatic and exciting to see or experience.
Noteworthy
“Noteworthy” means important or unusual enough to deserve attention. It is a more precise alternative to Impressive when that particular nuance is the one you need.
Example: The choice “Noteworthy” makes sense when the sentence needs to express important or unusual enough to deserve attention.
Formidable
“Formidable” means inspiring respect because of strength, ability, or scale. It is a more precise alternative to Impressive when that particular nuance is the one you need.
Example: In a context built around inspiring respect because of strength, ability, or scale, “Formidable” can preserve the intended meaning.
Awe-inspiring
“Awe-inspiring” means causing a strong feeling of wonder or admiration. It is a more precise alternative to Impressive when that particular nuance is the one you need.
Example: A writer can use “Awe-inspiring” to make a sentence about causing a strong feeling of wonder or admiration more exact.
Choosing the Right Wording for “Impressive”
Outstanding, exceptional, and remarkable are broad praise words. Striking, stunning, breathtaking, and spectacular emphasize immediate impact, while commendable focuses on deserved praise and formidable on strength or capability.