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
Whereas pain is a primary mode of these antithetical impulses, as are hate, fear, anger and shame.
—
Literary Hub, 17 June 2026
Its hybrid analog-digital approach allows Alfa free rein to actualize his impulses, while the meditative atmosphere prompts reflection on where those impulses come from.
—H.d. Angel, Pitchfork, 16 June 2026
Users can choose how to interact with the physical media and are less reliant on the impulses of global media and streaming platforms.
—Kian Bakhtiari, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
Pinney’s fantasies and visual metaphors are sometimes more poignant in concept than in execution, and a theme of Ray’s crude racist impulses is baldly inserted but left undeveloped.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 12 June 2026
To borrow a phrase from a different rock-mockumentary, The Vampire Lestat will dial IWTV’s wildest impulses up to 11.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 7 June 2026
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
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
Literary Hub, 17 June 2026
Its hybrid analog-digital approach allows Alfa free rein to actualize his impulses, while the meditative atmosphere prompts reflection on where those impulses come from.
—H.d. Angel, Pitchfork, 16 June 2026
Users can choose how to interact with the physical media and are less reliant on the impulses of global media and streaming platforms.
—Kian Bakhtiari, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
Pinney’s fantasies and visual metaphors are sometimes more poignant in concept than in execution, and a theme of Ray’s crude racist impulses is baldly inserted but left undeveloped.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 12 June 2026
To borrow a phrase from a different rock-mockumentary, The Vampire Lestat will dial IWTV’s wildest impulses up to 11.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 7 June 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impulses
Noun
-
And given that such systems are physically possible, powerful economic and strategic incentives exist for technologists and entrepreneurs to build them.—
Rob Toews,
Forbes.com,
22 June 2026
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The restrictions apply to existing single-family homes, not new construction, a carveout that preserves incentives for financial firms to invest in new housing construction, the staffer noted.—
Mary Cunningham,
CBS News,
22 June 2026
Noun
-
The same cognitive tendencies that make retirement savings difficult also make preventive medicine difficult.—
Jeffrey Wessler,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
-
Similarly, the defense seeks to admit evidence of Gormley’s violent tendencies, most of which come in the form of disturbing videos off of his social media pages.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
16 June 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
-
There were inclinations to not fully believe in their capabilities against Argentina.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
4 June 2026
-
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
Noun
-
And, most importantly, all this progression is occurring at a rapid clip, with full arcs tidily wrapped up in the four (of eight) episodes provided for review and characters’ hidden motivations revealed deliberately and steadily.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
18 June 2026
-
Interestingly, the motivations and strategies of these founders vary wildly by region.—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
18 June 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
-
One of the main impetuses for this is that newer planes are flying further, which means airline routes are getting longer.—
Jessica Puckett,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 June 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
Cite this Entry
“Impulses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impulses. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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