EXPRESSIVE Synonyms: 26 Similar and Opposite Words

expressive

adjective

ik-ˈspre-siv

Definition of expressive

as in eloquent

clearly conveying a special meaning (as one's mood) the teacher's expressive sigh showed that she had heard that excuse many times before

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of expressive People quickly learned to trust her expressive mountain warble to sing through great and grim times. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026 The color reflects a shift toward using deeper, expressive tones to create comfort and connection at home. — Kate McKenna, The Spruce, 26 Aug. 2026 Plus, Deep Rooted is versatile enough to pair with soft neutrals, expressive blues, and calming greens. — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 25 Aug. 2026 Punctuation matters Messages with expressive punctuation also got better response rates from the target clinician — and the more expressive, the better. — Elise Haulund, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for expressive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for expressive

Adjective

Not as verbally eloquent as Roosevelt, Eisenhower communicated with a broad smile and a confident demeanor.

— John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
Dudamel and the orchestra accompanied the eloquent Lila Downs and much of the evening was then given over to the popular, Grammy-gleaning Los Tigres del Norte.

— Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of eloquent

Adjective

Three questions are worth putting to an HR lead directly, because the answers are more revealing than the brochure.

— Jasmine Browley, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Perhaps most revealing among the disclosures, however, is that Shein spends considerably more on moving and selling products than on making them.

— Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of revealing

Adjective

While deeming the moratorium a meaningful step in the right direction, some hoped Mamdani would’ve gone further.

— Frank Landymore, Futurism, 3 Sep. 2026
Failing to fortify the starting rotation left Houston reliant on pitchers returning from Tommy John surgery to make a meaningful impact.

— Chandler Rome, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of meaningful

Adjective

From that point on, Kusama’s absorbing and fresh art, once charged by avant-garde energies, became more or less a meaning-free expression of market principles, an exercise in branding.

— Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
Yiaga’s degustation menu is distinctly Australian—meaning, inventive and collaborative.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026

Definition of meaning

Browse Nearby Words

expressions

expressive

expressiveness

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“Expressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expressive. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of expressive

adjective

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