intellectually impressive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "intellectually impressive" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that demonstrates a high level of intelligence or thoughtfulness, often in academic or intellectual contexts. Example: "The professor's lecture on quantum mechanics was intellectually impressive, leaving the students in awe of the complexities involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

La Mort d'Agrippine is intellectually impressive because of its daring ideas, and the direct and impassioned character of the tragic dialogue makes it interesting theatrically.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The exchange of 158 letters between 1812 and 1826 permitted the two sages to pose as philosopher-kings and create what is arguably the most intellectually impressive correspondence between statesmen in all of American history.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I would add that it was after McCain spent considerable time with Jindal in New Orleans recently, and reportedly found him, as he has before, personally engaging and intellectually impressive, that the campaign's informal name-dropping of Jindal began.

The New York Times

Generally regarded as the most intellectually impressive correspondence between American statesmen in all of American history, the dialogue between Adams and Jefferson touched on a host of timely and timeless subjects: the role of religion in history, the aging process, the emergence of an American language, the French Revolution, and the party battles of the 1790s.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It wasn't precious, it wasn't trying to be intellectually impressive.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

According to her intellectually-impressive sister, Lou dresses like she "had had a wrestling match in a charity shop".

Huffington Post

He clearly loves politics, and he's much more impressive, intellectually, than his brother.

The New Yorker

In trying to locate the moment in history when things got so polarized, Chappelle embarks on one of the most intellectually and narratively impressive moments of his career: a curated and, at the outset, entirely impersonal history of the twentieth century, bringing together the aftermath of world war and the drug-fuelled peace movements and assassination frenzy of the sixties.

The New Yorker

'You can't call me working class,' says one unanswerably, 'Cos I don't work.' Prezza is sweetly puzzled by these girls, who run rings round him intellectually, but what is impressive is his desire to understand them.

The Guardian

When news of the meeting emerged, Galloway told the Evening Standard that he wanted the Labour leader to be the next prime minister "the sooner the better", describing him as "quite impressive physically and intellectually".

The Guardian

B*spoke Theatre Company's production values are, as ever, impressive, but the event feels intellectually incomplete.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to convey admiration for intellectual prowess, employ "intellectually impressive" to highlight the profound impact and thoughtfulness behind an idea or creation.

Common error

Avoid using "intellectually impressive" in casual conversations or informal writing; it may sound pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "smart" or "insightful" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intellectually impressive" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun or pronoun to indicate that something or someone is notably admirable due to their high level of intelligence, insight, or profound thinking. Ludwig examples show the expression is used to describe dialogues, correspondence and performances.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

40%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "intellectually impressive" is a grammatically correct and usable expression, primarily functioning as a descriptive adjective to convey admiration for notable intelligence. Ludwig AI shows that, while acceptable for use in formal contexts, it should be used carefully in casual conversation to avoid sounding pretentious. Occurring most frequently in news, media, and encyclopedic sources, and with alternatives such as "cognitively stimulating", it is a valuable asset to have in your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intellectually stimulating

Synonymous, but emphasizes stimulation over impressiveness.

cognitively stimulating

Focuses on the mind's activation rather than admiration.

mentally stimulating

Emphasizes the stimulation of the mind, slightly less formal.

thought-provoking

Highlights the generation of thought and reflection.

remarkably intelligent

Highlights the high degree of intelligence displayed.

cerebrally engaging

More formal and academic, emphasizing intellectual engagement.

deeply insightful

Stresses the depth of understanding and perception.

exceptionally insightful

Focuses on the depth and clarity of understanding.

academically profound

More focused on academic depth and significance.

brainy and admirable

More informal and emphasizes admiration for intelligence.

FAQs

How can I use "intellectually impressive" in a sentence?

You can use "intellectually impressive" to describe something or someone that exhibits a high degree of intelligence or profound thinking. For example, "Her dissertation was "intellectually impressive", showcasing years of research and deep analysis".

What are some alternatives to "intellectually impressive"?

Alternatives to "intellectually impressive" include "cognitively stimulating", "thought-provoking", or "remarkably intelligent", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "intellectually impressive" in casual conversation?

While grammatically correct, "intellectually impressive" may sound overly formal or pretentious in casual conversation. Consider using simpler, more relatable terms like "smart" or "insightful" instead.

What's the difference between "intellectually impressive" and "simply impressive"?

"Intellectually impressive" specifically refers to something that is impressive due to its intellectual qualities or depth of thought, while "simply impressive" is a more general term that can apply to anything that evokes admiration or awe, regardless of its intellectual component.