Impress

v.capable, hopefuleveryday

Meaning 1

To cause admiration through a quality, action, or achievement.

Reach for it when describing a strong favorable effect without claiming lasting influence

The apprentice hoped to impress the panel with the cabinet's precise joinery.

everyday
amaze
surprise at an extraordinary result is central
not when Amaze can be momentary and need not produce considered admiration.
warm
delight
pleasure matters more than respect
not when Delight is the wrong choice when technical mastery is what earns notice.
warm
inspire
admiration should motivate another person to act
not when Inspire adds a change in motivation that impress alone does not promise.
professional
distinguish
an achievement should set someone apart from peers
not when Distinguish describes comparative standing, not the audience's reaction.

To make an idea or duty stay firmly in someone's mind.

Reach for it when emphasizing a lesson through repeated or forceful explanation

The ranger tried to impress on the hikers the need to carry water.

professional
emphasize
importance is made clear through stress or repetition
not when Emphasize need not make the point memorable.
formal
instill
an attitude or principle is gradually planted in someone
not when Instill suggests development over time, unlike one forceful reminder.
literary
underscore
a detail reinforces the significance of the message
not when Underscore highlights a point but may not fix it in memory.

impress the judges
The ceramicist used restraint rather than scale to impress the judges.
fail to impress
The expensive display may fail to impress visitors who value clear evidence.
impress upon
The coach sought to impress upon the team that recovery was part of training.

The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.