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
Still, Meek’s traditionalist impulses often ignite his best songs.
—
Dean Van Nguyen, Pitchfork, 27 Feb. 2026
That sense of both protectiveness and distancing will be familiar to most readers who have been sixteen; the difference, though, is that the parental figure that provoked these conflicting impulses was almost certainly not the founder of a fascist organization.
—Literary Hub, 27 Feb. 2026
The State of the Swamp, in a single evening, put both of these impulses on display.
—Toluse Olorunnipa, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 2026
After all, one of the persistent impulses of modern art has been to antagonize people of correct sensibilities, to subvert their cherished institutions.
—Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
Listen to what your impulses and instincts tell you.
—Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 23 Feb. 2026
Democratic hopefuls in the race would be wise to restrain their most progressive impulses, said Robert Pruehs, a political science professor at Metropolitan State University of Denver.
—John Aguilar, Denver Post, 23 Feb. 2026
In New York, the leading German Jews did not react to the Grand Union Hotel incident by appealing to the humanitarian impulses of Gentiles, in the manner of Lazard Kahn’s letter to Nast.
—Nicholas Lemann, New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2026
Think about Saturn’s boundary-setting, groundwork-loving nature being applied to Neptune’s ability to energize your artistic impulses and idealism.
—Maressa Brown, InStyle, 20 Feb. 2026
Dean Van Nguyen, Pitchfork, 27 Feb. 2026
That sense of both protectiveness and distancing will be familiar to most readers who have been sixteen; the difference, though, is that the parental figure that provoked these conflicting impulses was almost certainly not the founder of a fascist organization.
—Literary Hub, 27 Feb. 2026
The State of the Swamp, in a single evening, put both of these impulses on display.
—Toluse Olorunnipa, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 2026
After all, one of the persistent impulses of modern art has been to antagonize people of correct sensibilities, to subvert their cherished institutions.
—Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
Listen to what your impulses and instincts tell you.
—Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 23 Feb. 2026
Democratic hopefuls in the race would be wise to restrain their most progressive impulses, said Robert Pruehs, a political science professor at Metropolitan State University of Denver.
—John Aguilar, Denver Post, 23 Feb. 2026
In New York, the leading German Jews did not react to the Grand Union Hotel incident by appealing to the humanitarian impulses of Gentiles, in the manner of Lazard Kahn’s letter to Nast.
—Nicholas Lemann, New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2026
Think about Saturn’s boundary-setting, groundwork-loving nature being applied to Neptune’s ability to energize your artistic impulses and idealism.
—Maressa Brown, InStyle, 20 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impulses
Noun
-
Additionally, the group broached regulation versus incentives, forever chemicals and conservation and reuse.—
Lana Ferguson,
Dallas Morning News,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Vonblum said the city is aiming to strike a better balance between providing developer incentives and collecting enough from developers to cover the community needs created by new housing.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Shirley Jackson had four kids and dirty hair, plus psychic tendencies.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Mar. 2026
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But organizing systems that align with your natural tendencies — rather than fighting them — are easier to maintain over time.—
Julianna Chen,
Dallas Morning News,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
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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
-
Hints, counsels, warnings, remonstrations, even encouragements are, in the end, of limited value.—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
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This is the standard for ramp inclinations that are usable for most people, especially wheelchair users.—
K. Desbouis,
Artforum,
6 Feb. 2026
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Trump’s inclinations to make every race about him could foul this for the GOP.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Does that desire to be on the field for offseason activities trump his financial motivations at the end of the day?—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Mar. 2026
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Whether the motivations are development, altruism, returns or security, there is a role and reward for putting energy and resources into this effort.—
Ajaypal Banga,
Twin Cities,
1 Mar. 2026
Noun
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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
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More money is apt to make homeschooling worse and far less tailored to the individual student and their interests and aptitudes by encouraging parents to substitute pricey group programs for the requisite effort of individualized instruction.—
Marie Sapirie,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The Athletic Club Oakland was a haven for sports-lovers of all affinities.—
John Metcalfe,
Mercury News,
11 Feb. 2026
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The driving rock guitars and layered vocal textures recall TV on the Radio’s experimentation, and Galanin shares certain vocal and political affinities with Moses Sumney.—
Petala Ironcloud,
Pitchfork,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Similar to the ornate bank hall, the smaller side room influenced the work, with its curved white walls and absence of visual design stimuli.—
Kristen Tauer,
Footwear News,
1 Mar. 2026
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The reason could be that modern environments contain more interesting stimuli or that modern gasoline no longer contains lead.—
Drew Goins,
The Atlantic,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Impulses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impulses. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.
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