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Definitions

expressive

[ik-spres-iv] / ɪkˈsprɛs ɪv /
ADJECTIVE
telling, revealing
Synonyms
STRONGEST
articulate artistic colorful dramatic eloquent energetic passionate poignant striking suggestive thoughtful vivid
WEAK
alive allusive brilliant demonstrative emphatic forcible graphic indicative ingenious lively masterly meaningful mobile moving pathetic pictorial picturesque pointed pregnant representative responsive revelatory showy significant silver-tongued spirited stimulating stirring strong sympathetic tender touching understanding warm
Antonyms
STRONGEST
dull lifeless ugly uncaring
WEAK
expressionless inexpressive passive undemonstrative

Usage

What are other ways to say expressive? The adjective expressive suggests conveying, or being capable of conveying, a thought, intention, emotion, etc., in an effective or vivid manner: an expressive gesture. Meaningful and significant imply an underlying and unexpressed thought whose existence is plainly shown although its precise nature is left to conjecture. Meaningful implies a secret and intimate understanding between the persons involved: Meaningful looks passed between them. Significant suggests conveying important or hidden meaning: On hearing this statement, he gave the officers a significant glance. Suggestive implies an indirect or covert conveying of a meaning, sometimes mentally stimulating, sometimes verging on impropriety or indecency: a suggestive story or remark.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He wrote The Human Zoo and Intimate Behaviour, in Malta, and then became fascinated by the expressive body language of the people of the Mediterranean.

From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026

His evocative depictions of forest scenes are stunning in their own right, hypnotically expressive and made to tickle your id, unearthing deeply rooted primal sensations.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

But the characters are expressive, and the medium is used to unreal ends, which is, after all, what cartoons are good for.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2026

Whether he was laughing, brooding or crumpling into sobs to create one of the most well-known and widely circulated meme GIFs of all time, Van Der Beek’s expressive appeal propelled him to virtually overnight superstardom.

From Salon • Feb. 15, 2026

“You’re expressive, Moss. It’s like...your face says a lot in a very short amount of time.”

From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro

Vocabulary lists containing expressive

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