impulse

¹im·pulse

transitive verb \ˈim-ˌpəls, im-ˈ\

im·pulsedim·puls·ing

Definition of IMPULSE

: to give an impulse to

First Known Use of IMPULSE

1611

Rhymes with IMPULSE

avulse, convulse, expulse, repulse

²im·pulse

noun \ˈim-ˌpəls\

Definition of IMPULSE

1

a : inspiration, motivation

b : a force so communicated as to produce motion suddenly

c : incentive

2

a : the act of driving onward with sudden force : impulsion

b : motion produced by such an impulsion : impetus

c : a wave of excitation transmitted through tissues and especially nerve fibers and muscles that results in physiological activity or inhibition

3

a : a sudden spontaneous inclination or incitement to some usually unpremeditated action

b : a propensity or natural tendency usually other than rational

4

a : the product of the average value of a force and the time during which it acts : the change in momentum produced by the force

b : pulse 4a

Examples of IMPULSE

1. He has to learn to control his impulses.
2. <the new auto factory was just the impulse that the local economy needed>

Origin of IMPULSE

Latin impulsus, from impellere to impel

First Known Use: 1647

Related to IMPULSE

Synonyms

boost, encouragement, goad, impetus, incentive, incitation, incitement, instigation, momentum, motivation, provocation, spur, stimulant, stimulus, yeast, shot in the arm

Antonyms

counterincentive, disincentive

Related Words

inducement, invitation; antecedent, cause, consideration, grounds, motive, occasion, reason; catalyst, catalyzer, fuel, spark

Near Antonyms

allergy, averseness, aversion, disfavor, disinclination, dislike, disliking, disrelish, distaste; detachment, impartiality, neutrality, objectivity; apathy, disinterestedness, indifference, insouciance, nonchalance, unconcern

See Synonym Discussion at motive

Other Psychology Terms

fetish, hypochondria, intelligence, mania, narcissism, neurosis, pathological, psychosis, schadenfreude, subliminal

im·pulse

noun \ˈim-ˌpəls\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of IMPULSE

1

: a wave of excitation transmitted through tissues and especially nerve fibers and muscles that results in physiological activity or inhibition

2

a : a sudden spontaneous inclination or incitement to some usually unpremeditated action <some uncontrollable impulse…may have driven the defendant to the commission of the murderous act—B. N. Cardozo> b : a propensity or natural tendency usually other than rational <the fundamental impulse of self-expression—Havelock Ellis>