impressionable

adjective

im·​pres·​sion·​able im-ˈpre-sh(ə-)nə-bəl How to pronounce impressionable (audio)
: capable of being easily impressed
impressionability noun

Examples of impressionable in a Sentence

The teacher was accused of forcing his political beliefs on impressionable teenagers. The book had a profound effect on his impressionable young mind.
Recent Examples on the Web Researchers say such scenes especially imperil impressionable young people, who may overlook the legions of studies that confirm the ill effects of tobacco use. USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2024 Related The people most susceptible to parasocial relationships are typically younger (and more impressionable), and/or have a dearth of personal relationships. Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 25 Feb. 2024 Unfortunately, as the impressionable Moon meets gloomy Saturn in your social sector, your friends could be quick to point out holes in your plan. Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 Feb. 2024 Their statement followed a Congressional hearing on social media, during which Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel were among those whom senators called out for the impacts their platforms have on the general public, especially young and impressionable people. Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 1 Feb. 2024 How can the child possibly forge a path for himself if his own father — his strongest role model and a tender presence at home — normalizes this kind of activity from such an impressionable age? Peter Debruge, Variety, 29 Jan. 2024 That’s not uncommon in biographical stories, especially one that explores a tragic figure from his impressionable youth to the section of life where triumph and disaster present themselves, to the restlessness of a demented old age spent in search of both cohesion and absolution. Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 28 Jan. 2024 Formative experiences for an impressionable suburban teen, ones that Sonic Life shares in great detail. Jonathan Rowe, SPIN, 23 Jan. 2024 In 2008, during the last month of summer before high school begins, an impressionable 13-year-old Taiwanese American boy learns what his family can’t teach him: how to skate, how to flirt, and how to love your mom. Peter Debruge, Variety, 6 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'impressionable.' 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

1836, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of impressionable was in 1836

Dictionary Entries Near impressionable

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

impressionable

adjective
im·​pres·​sion·​able im-ˈpresh-(ə-)nə-bəl How to pronounce impressionable (audio)
: easy to impress or influence
impressionability noun

More from Merriam-Webster on impressionable

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