Synonyms of impulses

impulses

noun

plural of impulse

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

• incentives
• encouragements
• motivations
• impetuses
• stimuli
• stimulants
• provocations
• momenta
• catalysts
• reasons
• yeasts
• incitements
• fuels
• spurs
• instigations
• goads
• inducements
• shots in the arm
• causes
• considerations
• motives
• boosts
• invitations
• incitations
• antecedents
• sparks
• grounds
• occasions
• catalyzers

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disincentives
• counterincentives

2

as in tendencies

a habitual attraction to some activity or thing

the universal, fundamental impulse of self-preservation

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tendencies
• inclinations
• aptitudes
• affinities
• affections
• devices
• proclivities
• biases
• predilections
• predispositions
• leanings
• appetites
• propensities
• dispositions
• talents
• addictions
• bones
• preferences
• bents
• prejudices
• penchants
• partialities
• gifts
• habitudes
• knacks
• geniuses
• habits
• turns
• tastes
• faculties
• endowments
• patterns
• fancies
• flairs
• favors
• practices
• customs
• likes
• partisanships
• likings
• eccentricities
• idiosyncrasies
• specialties
• conventions
• specialities
• peculiarities
• singularities
• routines
• quirks
• ways
• tricks
• fortes
• kinks
• oddities
• wonts

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• distastes
• allergies
• aversions
• dislikes
• disinclinations
• detachments
• disrelishes
• disfavors
• indifferences
• objectivities
• neutralities
• impartialities
• nonchalances
• insouciances
• apathies

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of impulses

The rise of Black power influenced Chicano activism, and many Mexican Americans increasingly shed illusions that they could be seen as white, at least legally so, and rejected assimilationist impulses. — Eladio Bobadilla, Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2026

The Venezuelan artist’s latest LP harks back to her experimental mixtapes &&&&& and @@@@@, trading the KiCK series’ pop and reggaeton impulses for confrontational, uncompromising electronic sounds. — Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 4 Aug. 2026

Unfortunately, the spoiled former king is incapable of suppressing his royal impulses enough to make that an easy feat. — Megan McCluskey, Time, 3 Aug. 2026

Bardstown Bourbon Company, which is well known for indulging its experimental impulses, decided to blend together bourbon and rye and finish it in pineapple rum barrels with pieces of pineapple added to the whiskey for good measure. — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 2 Aug. 2026

An animal story set in motion by the basest human impulses—though also distinguished by some of our best—the novel is tied deeply into both ancient literary tradition and tragically perennial concerns. — Rachel Vorona Cote, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026

With that, the earnest impulses of freedom-loving Americans’ distrust of institutions could easily be exploited by weapons of mass deception. — Will Cady, SPIN, 30 July 2026

Still crazy enough to do something dumb, but mature enough to curb your impulses. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026

When government bans physical products Democratic governments don’t typically stand between citizens and their impulses to buy things. — Jonathan Caulkins, The Conversation, 17 July 2026