IMPULSE Synonyms: 108 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'impulse' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of impulse are goad , incentive , inducement , motive , and spur . While all these words mean "a stimulus to action," impulse suggests a driving power arising from personal temperament or constitution. // buying on impulse

Q: In what contexts can 'goad' take the place of 'impulse'?

In some situations, the words goad and impulse are roughly equivalent. However, goad suggests a motive that keeps one going against one's will or desire. // thought insecurity a goad to worker efficiency

Q: Where would 'incentive' be a reasonable alternative to 'impulse'?

The words incentive and impulse are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, incentive applies to an external influence (such as an expected reward) inciting to action. // a bonus was offered as an incentive

Q: When would 'inducement' be a good substitute for 'impulse'?

The words inducement and impulse can be used in similar contexts, but inducement suggests a motive prompted by the deliberate enticements or allurements of another. // offered a watch as an inducement to subscribe

Q: When can 'motive' be used instead of 'impulse'?

The meanings of motive and impulse largely overlap; however, motive implies an emotion or desire operating on the will and causing it to act. // a motive for the crime

Q: When is 'spur' a more appropriate choice than 'impulse'?

Although the words spur and impulse have much in common, spur applies to a motive that stimulates the faculties or increases energy or ardor. // fear was a spur to action

impulse

noun

ˈim-ˌpəls

Definition of impulse next

as in incentive

something that arouses action or activity the new auto factory was just the impulse that the local economy needed

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in inclination

a habitual attraction to some activity or thing the universal, fundamental impulse of self-preservation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun impulse contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of impulse are goad, incentive, inducement, motive, and spur. While all these words mean "a stimulus to action," impulse suggests a driving power arising from personal temperament or constitution.

buying on impulse

In what contexts can goad take the place of impulse?

In some situations, the words goad and impulse are roughly equivalent. However, goad suggests a motive that keeps one going against one's will or desire.

thought insecurity a goad to worker efficiency

Where would incentive be a reasonable alternative to impulse?

The words incentive and impulse are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, incentive applies to an external influence (such as an expected reward) inciting to action.

a bonus was offered as an incentive

When would inducement be a good substitute for impulse?

The words inducement and impulse can be used in similar contexts, but inducement suggests a motive prompted by the deliberate enticements or allurements of another.

offered a watch as an inducement to subscribe

When can motive be used instead of impulse?

The meanings of motive and impulse largely overlap; however, motive implies an emotion or desire operating on the will and causing it to act.

a motive for the crime

When is spur a more appropriate choice than impulse?

Although the words spur and impulse have much in common, spur applies to a motive that stimulates the faculties or increases energy or ardor.

fear was a spur to action

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 impulse When our kids come to us with their boredom, there is often an impulse to meet them with irritation, frustration and guilt. —

Lizzie Assa, CNBC, 10 Feb. 2026 Combine these two impulses by looking into home projects, like tidying your kitchen cupboards or even repainting an entire room. —

Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 10 Feb. 2026 Its first three seasons followed the ups and downs of young, improbably good-looking bankers in a London built almost entirely of glass, brick, and blow, their worst impulses spurred on by a corporate culture of excess. —

Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026 One member of staff jokes that upon seeing Ho, there is a sudden impulse to salute, not out of fear, but out of sheer pride in the project. —

Megan Feringa, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for impulse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impulse

Noun

Just more incentive to get down the hill as quickly as possible.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2026
To be eligible for the Spirit Awards, a movie's budget cannot exceed $30 million after tax incentives.

— Jillian Sederholm, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Feb. 2026

Definition of incentive

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impuissant

impulse

impulses

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“Impulse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impulse. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

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Last Updated: 16 Feb 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of impulse

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