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Meaning & use

impactful

adjective·Academicinformalbusiness

Last updated

UK/ˈɪm.pækt.fəl/
US/ˈɪm.pækt.fəl/

Meanings

  1. adjectivecomparableinformal

    Having a strong effect on people, events or results.

    Grammar: Used before a noun or after a verb: an impactful speech; the speech was impactful.

    Patterns

    • an impactful speech
    • highly impactful

    Her impactful speech moved the whole audience.

    Small changes can be surprisingly impactful.

    The film was short but impactful.

  2. adjectivecomparablebusiness

    Creating a clear, lasting impression through design or message.

    Grammar: Common in marketing talk: impactful visuals.

    Patterns

    • impactful design
    • impactful message

    The poster uses impactful colors.

    They wanted a more impactful logo.

    A simple, impactful slogan will stay in people's minds.

Word forms

comparativemore impactful
superlativemost impactful

Common combinations

highly impactful
The training was highly impactful for new staff.
impactful change
We want to make an impactful change in schools.
impactful message
The advert had a clear, impactful message.
impactful work
She chose impactful work over a high salary.
most impactful
The most impactful lesson was about listening.

Synonyms and how they differ

influential
Influential suggests shaping other people's opinions or choices over time.
effective
Effective focuses on producing the intended result, not on strong impression.
powerful
Powerful stresses strength and is accepted in formal writing.
significant
Significant means important or large enough to matter, and sounds more formal.

Opposites

ineffectiveinsignificant

Word family

impact noun
a strong effect, or the force of a collision
impact verb
to have an effect on something
impactfully adverb
in a way that has a strong effect
impacted adjective
affected, or firmly stuck in place

Commonly confused: impactful or effective?

impactful vs effective

Effective means it works. Impactful means it makes a strong impression.

Practice

A style guide says 'impactful' is overused. Which word would be a safe formal replacement in 'an impactful speech'?

Make it your own

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