impulse

noun

ˈim-ˌpəls How to pronounce impulse (audio)
Definition of impulsenext
1
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
2
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 This means that dopamine stays longer in the synapses, the spaces between the neurons, enhancing communication between the neurons, particularly in areas of the brain involved in attention, focus, and impulse control. —New Atlas, 14 Apr. 2025 Was walking away from the Ocean View Hotel a sudden impulse or a premeditated plan by McPherson to get away from her mother and get some time with her lover? —Casey Cep, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025 Yet that flies in the face of the basis for the bill — the substantial evidence documenting that the brains of young people are immature and thus unable to control their impulses. —Robert Barton, Baltimore Sun, 13 Apr. 2025 The demands for restraint would have come from Europe and the White House, where during four years, President Joseph R. Biden Jr. sometimes tried, and often failed, to contain Mr. Netanyahu’s impulses. —Michael D. Shear, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for impulse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impulse
  1. incentive
  2. inclination
  3. impetus
  4. tendency
  5. encouragement
  6. devices
  7. stimulus
  8. aptitude
Noun
  • The Trump administration is also working to undo incentives around clean energy, particularly the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act.
    — Umair Irfan, Wired News, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Slate Auto There’s also the issue of federal incentives.
    — Abigail Bassett, ArsTechnica, 25 Apr. 2025
Definition of incentive
Noun
  • The unusual trajectory aligned the Falcon 9 with a perfectly polar orbit at an inclination of 90 degrees to the equator, bringing the four-person crew directly over the North or South Pole every 45 minutes.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 4 Apr. 2025
  • And grant funding has become less reliable as state governments face their own financial challenges while the Trump administration has shown little inclination to aid transit systems.
    — Soumya Karlamangla, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of inclination
Noun
  • Yet it must be acknowledged that the impetus for the freezing of federal dollars for certain universities was a crisis for Jewish students, caused by the failure of college administrators to counter antisemitism and the harassment of Jews on campus.
    — Christian Schneider, National Review, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Likewise, the impetus may be the same for McDonald’s customers.
    — BYAlex Ledsom, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2025
Definition of impetus
Noun
  • According to Limon-Rocha, various life stressors—such as starting a new school, being bullied, losing a beloved pet, or having a family member with health issues—can all trigger perfectionist tendencies.
    — Sherri Gordon, Parents, 17 Apr. 2025
  • The tendency in the forecast has been for the front to set up across southeast portions of the Kansas City forecast area.
    — Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of tendency
Noun
  • Katherine, an avid reader who loves James Joyce and modern poetry, tries her hand at screenwriting, with Fred’s encouragement.
    — Mark Athitakis, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Not only this, his friends also came to his defense, offering words of encouragement.
    — Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
Definition of encouragement
Noun
  • In an unprecedented move, our public schools handed out hundreds of thousands of devices to help more than 1 million students continue to safely learn online with their teachers and classmates.
    — Dr. Mitchell Katz, New York Daily News, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Efficient energy storage is crucial for the transition to a low-carbon economy, which can impact everything from grid-scale energy storage to electric vehicles and portable devices.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of devices
Noun
  • Conscious perception is the ability of human beings to become aware of the stimuli received by their senses.
    — Jorge Garay, Wired News, 19 Apr. 2025
  • This micro-moment creates space between stimulus and response, where emotional intelligence flourishes.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of stimulus
Noun
  • Because some teams, roles and individuals may have natural aptitudes for different setups.
    — Eric Hutto, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
  • And that team happens to desperately need a player like Luka, with not just great basketball aptitude but with presence and personality – star power!
    — Mirjam Swanson, Orange County Register, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of aptitude

Browse Nearby Words

impuissant
impulse
impulses
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Impulse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impulse. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on impulse

Nglish: Translation of impulse for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All