expressive

adjective

ik-ˈspre-siv How to pronounce expressive (audio)
Definition of expressivenext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Curved sofas, rounded tables and expressive lighting are among the older forms being reconsidered for current interiors, along with irregular silhouettes. — Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 29 Sep. 2026 Curved sofas, rounded tables, expressive lighting and irregular silhouettes are among the older forms being reconsidered for current interiors, according to Homes & Gardens. — Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2026 How to style statement sneakers for fall 2026 Feel free to get really expressive with your statement sneakers. — Bianca Kratky, Glamour, 29 Sep. 2026 From the return of the skirt and expressive femininity to bold color, craftsmanship and embellishment, there is a sense of freedom and possibility that feels fresh for the season. — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for expressive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expressive
  1. eloquent
  2. suggestive
  3. revealing
  4. meaningful
  5. meaning
Adjective
  • The preschoolers who had a tough time delaying gratification— who ate the first marshmallow—were less academically and socially skilled, eloquent, attentive, and not as good at managing frustration in adolescence.
    — Joan M. Cook, Time, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Fittingly, this is a very American intersection of wealth and power, the exact kind of problem about which James Baldwin was always so eloquent and incisive.
    — James Folta, Literary Hub, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of eloquent
Adjective
  • At the time, fans were quick to point out that the majority of the crew members seen in the clip were men, while Sweeney was sitting in a suggestive pose.
    — Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Messages in 2024 between Johnson and Duffey revealed the two men used suggestive language.
    — Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of suggestive
Adjective
  • The letters to Hamilton are among the most revealing parts of the archive.
    — George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Jackson suffered a groin injury in the first quarter and didn’t return — a pretty revealing fact considering Jackson has been among the most durable players in the NFL the past two seasons.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of revealing
Adjective
  • Put your resources toward what feels meaningful, not merely sensible.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Others can involve providing financial stability for a child who has pursued a meaningful and fulfilling career that does not pay very much, or assisting younger family members with a down payment in a tight housing market.
    — Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 1 Oct. 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
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Expressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expressive. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on expressive

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about expressive

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