impressionistic

adjective

im·​pres·​sion·​is·​tic (ˌ)im-ˌpre-shə-ˈni-stik How to pronounce impressionistic (audio)
1
or impressionist often capitalized : of, relating to, or constituting impressionism
2
: based on or involving impression as distinct from expertise or fact
intuitions and impressionistic anecdotal accountsSidney Hook
impressionistically adverb

Examples of impressionistic in a Sentence

He wrote an impressionistic account of the battle scene.
Recent Examples on the Web The impressionistic update sees the protagonists go back and forth from moments of ethereal fantasy to stark reality — but some critics have taken issue with how the film exoticizes Brazilian poverty and reinforces racial stereotypes. Andrew Lawrence, Peoplemag, 17 Feb. 2024 Contemporary cake trends favor a more organic aesthetic, layered with impressionistic overpiping or sprouting floral outgrowths. Zoey Poll Katja Mayer, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2024 Watercolor can produce spontaneous and impressionistic effects, but these artists employ it with exquisite precision. Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 2 Feb. 2024 The result was an impressionistic and anecdotal telling, both personal and professional, that vividly builds a portrait of one of the most important figures in pop culture history. Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Dec. 2023 Geek’s Guide to the Galaxy host David Barr Kirtley was impressed at the way that showrunner Paul Tomalin was able to adapt such an experimental, impressionistic graphic novel. Geek's Guide To The Galaxy, WIRED, 12 Jan. 2024 Although this rather impressionistic analysis aspires to conclude by presenting an alternative strategy to reinvigorate the left, the analysis suggests that its decline is inevitable. Arthur Borriello and Anton Jäger, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2023 Editor Iseult Howlett skillfully sustains several character narratives amid an impressionistic whole drawn from a mountain of footage Kelly shot from 2018 to 2022. Dennis Harvey, Variety, 8 Dec. 2023 The message can still be opaque or impressionistic. Jon Mooallem, New York Times, 3 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'impressionistic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of impressionistic was in 1886

Dictionary Entries Near impressionistic

Cite this Entry

“Impressionistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impressionistic. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

impressionistic

adjective
im·​pres·​sion·​is·​tic (ˌ)im-ˌpresh-ə-ˈnis-tik How to pronounce impressionistic (audio)
1
or impressionist often capitalized : of or relating to impressionism
an impressionistic style of painting
2
: based on or involving one's impressions rather than knowledge or facts
impressionistic descriptions
impressionistically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on impressionistic

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