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

Taking the time away and working on other projects, working with other people — in my case doing some like film scoring and things like that — felt like a complete reset of those creative impulses. — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 10 July 2026

The threat of losing his mind to the most violent impulses of his human form, like his friend Henry Thorpe did, continues to hang over Sugar. — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 10 July 2026

Many of the messages are peddling a sense of pride and belonging — primal impulses at the heart of the MAGA movement. — Michelle Cottle, Mercury News, 9 July 2026

Irmler’s Unbegunden leans into immersive electronics, organ drones and spontaneous composition, channeling the group’s most uncompromising impulses. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 9 July 2026

Bolstered by poetic visuals and stunning performances from the young cast, Thorne’s psychological approach offers profound insight into the unconscious impulses that underlie our current political crises. — Judy Berman, Time, 8 July 2026

As a result, the sanctity of the vote could rely on whether other government institutions and, ultimately, the citizenry can also mount a stand against the president’s worst impulses. — Toluse Olorunnipa, The Atlantic, 4 July 2026

After surgery, that device is programmed to send mild electrical impulses that block abnormal nerve signals and dramatically reduce tics. — Gabby Sartori, USA Today, 3 July 2026

The show frames the American project as defined by a longstanding tension between impulses to maintain the status quo and demands for change. — Cat Dawson, ARTnews.com, 3 July 2026