When you need an impressive synonym, start with what earned the praise. Results and records are remarkable or outstanding, buildings and views are striking or imposing, skill is accomplished, and good character is admirable.
Impressive is polite but a little flat, because readers see it everywhere. A sharper word, or a fact that shows why something impressed you, does more. This page ranks the options by strength, gives swaps for reviews and cover letters, and lists words for dull or average things.
Swatch at a glance
Best swaps
remarkable, outstanding, striking, notablePart of speech
AdjectiveMost formal
commendable, noteworthyMost casual
awesome, mind-blowingStrongest
extraordinary, phenomenalAntonyms
unimpressive, mediocre, ordinaryWatch out
Imposing describes size or presence. An imposing person may feel scary, not admirable.Word forms covered
impressively, impressed, impress
Impressive synonym groups by what you praise
| Praising | Strong choices | Sample |
|---|---|---|
| A result or record | remarkable, outstanding, notable | The team posted a remarkable season. |
| A place or object | striking, imposing, majestic | An imposing stone gate guards the park. |
| A skill or performance | accomplished, masterly, polished | She gave a polished first speech. |
| Someone's conduct | admirable, commendable | His honesty under pressure was admirable. |
| Anything, in casual talk | amazing, awesome, stunning | That cake looks stunning. |
Ranking the praise: solid to extraordinary
The chips step up in strength. Solid means reliably good, nothing more. Notable says it deserves attention. Remarkable says people will talk about it. Outstanding means it stands clearly above the rest. Extraordinary means far beyond normal, a word to save for rare cases.
Impressive itself sits around remarkable. If your evidence is modest, step down; if it is truly rare, step up.
Swaps for reviews, reports and messages
- An impressive building becomes a striking building or an imposing building.
- Her results were impressive becomes her results were outstanding.
- An impressive collection of stamps becomes a notable collection of stamps.
- The view was impressive becomes the view was breathtaking.
- An impressive effort by the volunteers becomes a commendable effort by the volunteers.
- He has impressive guitar skills becomes he is an accomplished guitarist.
A manager thanks a new hire by message: "Impressive work on the launch." Rewriting it as "Outstanding work on the launch; the checklist saved us hours" adds a reason, so the praise feels earned rather than routine.
Resumes and cover letters
Calling your own work impressive sounds like boasting. Let numbers carry the weight and use a precise word for the result: "cut response time by half" or "earned a notable industry award." When describing an employer you admire, respected, leading and well-regarded sound sincere. See our career wording page for more.
Impressively and impressed
The adverb impressively swaps with remarkably, strikingly or admirably: an impressively calm reply becomes a remarkably calm reply.
For the feeling, impressed pairs with struck, moved, in awe or wowed (casual). The verb impress can be replaced with amaze, win over or dazzle.
Look-alikes that send a different message
Impressionable is a different word entirely; it means easily influenced, usually of young people. Expressive means full of feeling, not admired. Imposing can suggest intimidation. Pretentious describes trying too hard to impress, so it works as criticism. Before you praise a lobby as imposing, ask whether you mean grand or cold; striking or majestic keeps the compliment clear.
Opposites for the plain and the poor
For neutral feedback use ordinary, average or modest. Unremarkable and forgettable say it left no mark. Mediocre and disappointing are clearly critical.
- The hotel was clean but unremarkable.
- Sales were modest in the first quarter.
Many more adjectives wait in our describing list.
Frequently asked questions
Which words go beyond impressive?
Extraordinary, phenomenal and outstanding raise the level. Keep them for when something is clearly rare or the best of its kind.
Which praise words suit formal letters?
Commendable, noteworthy and admirable suit formal writing. Commendable is especially common in official praise and reviews.
What is another word for impressive in a resume?
Avoid praising yourself. Use notable or significant with a measured result, such as a notable rise in sign-ups.
How do I describe an impressive building?
Striking, imposing, majestic and grand all fit. Striking focuses on looks, while imposing focuses on size and presence.
What is the opposite of impressive?
Unimpressive, ordinary, mediocre and unremarkable are common opposites. Ordinary is the most neutral.
Can I use amazing instead of impressive?
In casual speech, yes. In formal writing amazing can sound exaggerated, so remarkable or outstanding is safer.