impulse

noun

im·​pulse ˈim-ˌpəls 

1

a

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

a natural/creative/sudden/irresistible impulse

—often followed by to + a verb

The sight … seemed so ridiculous that Paper had to stifle the impulse to laugh.

—James McBride

I quit my job on an impulse. [=suddenly and without thinking about it first]

The car was an impulse buy/purchase. [=something bought on an impulse and usually not really needed]

b

: a propensity or natural tendency usually other than rational

Usually the wish to be thought of well remains. … as a restraint upon impulses of greed.

—Bertrand Russell

2

a

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

b

: the act of driving onward with sudden force : impulsion

c

: motion produced by such an impulsion : impetus

3

a

: pulse sense 4a

b

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

4

a

: inspiration, motivation

He received from America fresh artistic impulses …

—Anatole Chujoy

b

: a force so communicated as to produce motion suddenly

c

: incentive

Synonyms of impulse

• incentive
• impetus
• encouragement
• stimulus
• motivation

Choose the Right Synonym for impulse

motive, impulse, incentive, inducement, spur, goad mean a stimulus to action.

motive implies an emotion or desire operating on the will and causing it to act.

a motive for the crime

impulse suggests a driving power arising from personal temperament or constitution.

buying on impulse

incentive applies to an external influence (such as an expected reward) inciting to action.

a bonus was offered as an incentive

inducement suggests a motive prompted by the deliberate enticements or allurements of another.

offered a watch as an inducement to subscribe

spur applies to a motive that stimulates the faculties or increases energy or ardor.

fear was a spur to action

goad suggests a motive that keeps one going against one's will or desire.

thought insecurity a goad to worker efficiency

Examples of impulse in a Sentence

He has to learn to control his impulses.

the new auto factory was just the impulse that the local economy needed

Recent Examples on the Web

Homer crystallized the impulse to return home after a long time away from all that is familiar. —Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026

Revolutionary impulses – but for whom? —Jeremy D. Popkin, The Conversation, 28 May 2026

This time, any remaining impulses of late 1990s and 2000s decadence have been erased with features like a social lobby and a sprawling rooftop park with verdant landscaping with Adirondack chairs and a campfire. —Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 27 May 2026

Therefore, guard your impulses. —Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 27 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin impulsus, from impellere to impel

First Known Use

1647, in the meaning defined at sense 4a

Phrases Containing impulse

• nerve impulse
• specific impulse

Kids Definition

impulse

noun

im·​pulse

ˈim-ˌpəls

1

a

: a force that starts a body into motion

b

: the motion produced by an impulse

2

: a sudden stirring up of the mind and spirit to do something

an impulse to run away

buy something on impulse

3

: nerve impulse

4

: pulse entry 2 sense 3a

Medical Definition

impulse

noun

im·​pulse ˈim-ˌpəls 

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