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 decision to bomb Iran revealed the conflict between some of the president's fundamental impulses. Susan Page, USA Today, 23 June 2025 Everyone fantasizes about this profession and this industry being so deeply creative and born of impulse and character. Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2025 In Pip Adam’s extraordinary, humane novel Audition, recently released in the United States, space is both the dystopian place where humanity’s worst impulses flourish and a site of uncharted possibility where humans can become something entirely new. Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 21 June 2025 Later in the day, your humanitarian impulses or desire to assist someone might need to be fine-tuned. Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 18 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for impulse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impulse
Noun
  • The bill eliminates critical renewable energy incentives, redirects funding toward fossil fuels and nuclear power, and dismantles key progressive priorities of the Biden administration.
    Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 7 July 2025
  • Companies can offer discounts or incentives to customers to try to entice them to buy trips or vacations.
    Corina Vanek, AZCentral.com, 7 July 2025
Noun
  • The inclination of those operating from this skillset is to evaluate the interrelationships and interconnections within and between steps, processes, systems and people.
    Terina Allen, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • Marseille’s artistic inclination is matched by an obsession with food which, typically, is very different from what appears on plates in the rest of France.
    The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • Israel’s contention that Iran would soon be able to build a nuclear weapon was the impetus for the conflict, which began with Israel Defense Forces strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and against Iran’s military and nuclear program scientists on the night of June 12-13.
    Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 24 June 2025
  • Tyler Grill said the festival has brought nearly 100,000 people in the city, which was the impetus for starting an annual festival in Bushnell Park.
    Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 22 June 2025
Noun
  • Having been sober for many decades herself, Bev recognizes the narcissism of addiction, the way addicts have a tendency to put themselves at the center of the universe.
    Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2025
  • People with avoidant tendencies often pull away emotionally, while those with anxious tendencies may cling out of fear.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • While some commenters noted the mistake, many offered support and encouragement.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025
  • However, Bird only came out in 2017, after the encouragement of Rapinoe.
    Grace Jordan-Weinstein, People.com, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • However, instead of removing the minerals from the water, these devices make the minerals soluble in the water.
    Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Mar. 2025
  • However, these incidents underscore the importance of regularly updating your devices to stay protected against evolving threats.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 14 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • State stimulus, on-demand infrastructure, affective consumption, and homegrown innovation are reshaping consumer expectations and fashion’s business logic.
    Li Jun, Footwear News, 28 June 2025
  • That could reduce the urgency for Beijing to step up stimulus at the upcoming Politburo meeting in July, Xing added.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • Connelly frequently downplayed her reputation and aptitude for knowing how to ask for large donations from important individuals.
    Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2025
  • Those are two promising indicators of his aptitude for spacing the floor for his high-usage teammates.
    Mat Issa, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Impulse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impulse. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on impulse

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