impact

The change or influence that something causes.

• The change had little impact.
• We studied the impact of noise on sleep.
• How will the new rules affect the environmental impact of farming?

How to use it: impact on someone/something (The new road had an impact on local wildlife.); impact of something (We studied the impact of higher food prices.)

Similar words: effect, influence

Common phrases: impact on something, have an impact, environmental impact, significant impact

The event of one object hitting another.

• The window broke on impact.
• The camera recorded the moment of impact.
• Several impacts damaged the front of the vehicle.

Similar words: collision, hit

Common phrases: on impact, moment of impact, direct impact

The force produced when one object hits another.

• The helmet absorbed the impact.
• The force of the impact threw him backward.
• Soft padding reduced the impact on her knees.

Similar words: shock, force

Common phrases: absorb the impact, force of impact, cushion the impact

To cause a change in someone or something.

• The weather impacts our plans.
• Higher fuel prices have impacted on delivery costs.
• How will these changes impact your family?

How to use it: impact someone/something (Higher rents impact small businesses.); impact on someone/something (The cuts will impact on local services.)

Similar words: affect, influence

Common phrases: impact on something, impact someone directly, impact the environment

To have a strong effect on someone or something.

• The weather impacts our work.
• These changes have impacted local families.
• How will the new rules impact your business?

How to use it: impact someone/something (The delay impacted our plans.); impact on someone/something (Rising prices impact on small businesses.)

Similar words: affect, influence

Common phrases: impact someone's life, impact the economy, directly impact something

To hit something with force.

• The stone impacted the wall.
• Several small objects impacted the surface during the test.
• The vehicle impacted the barrier at high speed.

How to use it: impact on something (The rock impacted on the roof.)

Similar words: hit, strike, collide with

Common phrases: impact the ground, impact a surface

To press material tightly together or firmly into a space.

• The machine impacts the soil.
• Workers impacted the loose material into the gap.
• Repeated pressure had impacted the particles into a solid mass.

Similar words: compact, compress, pack

Common phrases: impact the soil, impact the material