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 The mathematicians’ impulse is inventive and, for them, stimulating. Rebecca Coffey, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025 The device sends signals around the clock in someone who has Parkinson’s, but Shirvalkar thought a constant signal wouldn’t work for chronic pain because the brain can become acclimated to the impulses and essentially override them. Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2025 The issue is that if the impulses behind these choices are recognizable in theory, the characters themselves are broad to the point of abstraction. Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025 But the board’s failure to probe more deeply transforms an understandable impulse into a sin of commission. Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for impulse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impulse
Noun
  • President Joe Biden's 2022 Inflation Reduction Act—passed solely with Democratic votes in Congress—provided historic incentives for clean energy manufacturers and EV and battery makers.
    Jeff Young, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
  • If a ball is kicked into the landing zone and then bounces into the endzone while staying inbounds, it must be returned or downed; however, there is an incentive for attempting a return in that instance, as a touchback would only spot the receiving team at their 20.
    Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • For those with time and inclination, the New York Times did an exhaustive deep dive into court battle based on thousands of pages of court filings and hearing transcripts.
    Howard Homonoff, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • No other player has a similar inclination to hold width.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The special teams element is a benefit of the move more than the impetus.
    Zach Berman, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
  • That’s really what was the first impetus for getting this to be a continuing project.
    Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • While bad tendencies showed up in each loss enough good things seemed to appear in the wins.
    Larry Fleisher, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • That approach stems from a tendency to question the foundations upon which conventional wisdom is built.
    Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • While the movement has yet to gain traction on this side of the pond, Americans have needed little outside encouragement to get in on the secondhand shopping trend, both online, led by marketplaces like ThredUp and The Real Real, and in thrift stores.
    Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Pym was in need of encouragement.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • New downloads of Weather are no longer possible on Wear OS 6 devices from third-party manufacturers, such as Samsung, OnePlus and others.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Why Healthcare Needs a Data Overhaul Healthcare systems are generating more data than ever before, from electronic health records and lab results to imaging scans, insurance claims, and even patient updates from wearable devices.
    Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The hope was that a quick jolt of stimulus (delivered without haste) could stir an economic recovery.
    Robert Goulder, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The factory is a throwback to a pre-Rust Belt America, providing ~200 jobs, endless pride, and a stimulus that benefits the rest of the local economy.
    Katherine Laidlaw, HubSpot, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The Chiefs have an aptitude problem.
    Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2025
  • This leads him to discover an unexpected aptitude for cracking safes, turning his life upside down.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Impulse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impulse. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on impulse

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!