1
as in incentives
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 tendencies
a habitual attraction to some activity or thing
the universal, fundamental impulse of self-preservation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of impulses
Now his eponymous impulses have expanded to the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.
—
Cleve R. Wootson Jr, Washington Post, 3 June 2026
The longer the process dragged on, the more the competing impulses pulled him in different directions.
—Vivian Salama, The Atlantic, 3 June 2026
Here, as ever, Kokopeli suggests that clinging to youthful talismans offers no protection against uncertainty, and reasserts the odd mix of disaffection and morbid glee produced by such reactionary impulses.
—Theo Belci, Artforum, 2 June 2026
The promise of Capello Index was to unify these two competing impulses, to create something that relied on judgement from an expert, while producing an objective number at the end.
—Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 2 June 2026
However, her albums can sound like a patchwork of impulses, torn between satiating her hardcore audience and designing a résumé for pop-radio rotation.
—Mosi Reeves, Rolling Stone, 1 June 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
Cleve R. Wootson Jr, Washington Post, 3 June 2026
The longer the process dragged on, the more the competing impulses pulled him in different directions.
—Vivian Salama, The Atlantic, 3 June 2026
Here, as ever, Kokopeli suggests that clinging to youthful talismans offers no protection against uncertainty, and reasserts the odd mix of disaffection and morbid glee produced by such reactionary impulses.
—Theo Belci, Artforum, 2 June 2026
The promise of Capello Index was to unify these two competing impulses, to create something that relied on judgement from an expert, while producing an objective number at the end.
—Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 2 June 2026
However, her albums can sound like a patchwork of impulses, torn between satiating her hardcore audience and designing a résumé for pop-radio rotation.
—Mosi Reeves, Rolling Stone, 1 June 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impulses
Noun
-
Economic incentives help explain why.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
-
Dubai’s residential property prices surged by roughly 60% between 2022 and early 2025–a historic boom fueled by tax-free incentives, liberalized visa policies, and a heavy influx of high-net-worth individuals.—
Melissa Hancock,
Fortune,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
The next major point of interest is the punchy, barely contained synth bass that eats up much of the mix, but even that is pulling from a predictable arsenal of Max Martin tendencies.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
-
Even so, there is a real responsibility on the introverted leader to understand how their natural tendencies land with the people around them and how to be most effective within that awareness.—
Bill Koch,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
All through the park, competitors and onlookers hit vapes and shout tips and encouragements into trees.—
Calin Van Paris,
Outside,
19 Mar. 2026
-
In October 2024 ahead of her own stay at MSG, Billie Eilish recorded encouragements to take the subways for environmental benefits.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Born to a humble family in the twilight years of the shogunate, Higuchi Natsuko (as she was born) was the fourth child and second daughter of a man with scholarly inclinations, who as a farmer had come to the capital to seek both fortune and rank.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 May 2026
-
Over the last week or so, the four satellites adjusted their inclinations—the angles of their orbits to the equator—by less than a degree.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
Laurie and Alamo’s motivations have always been crystal clear in comparison to everyone else’s.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
1 June 2026
-
Everyone’s motivations are different, and that’s how timelines can get sped up.—
Antonio Morales,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
For this class, the premise is that your purpose in life lies to the intersection of your values, your aptitudes and your interests.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
-
This model reflects Japan’s long-standing corporate culture, which prioritizes new hires for their general potential—their aptitudes and aspirations, as opposed to their current skill sets or university majors—and then trains them on the job.—
GRACIA LIU-FARRER,
Foreign Affairs,
18 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Spanish society has always had a relatively high tolerance for Latin American immigrants, who speak the local language and share certain cultural affinities.—
Rogé Karma,
The Atlantic,
1 June 2026
-
Squarcialupi said the time is now ripe for the brand to cross borders, toward Spain and other Mediterranean countries that have affinities with Italy.—
Martino Carrera,
Footwear News,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
Perhaps sensing this, the league trotted out a series of onstage stimuli between picks.—
Dan Greene,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
Eliciting disgust, even through unrelated stimuli, can intensify moral judgment.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Impulses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impulses. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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