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

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

Two of Latin alternative’s gentlest souls combine their heart-on-your-sleeve electronic and indie-folk impulses for a breezy, languorous collaborative record. — E.r. Pulgar, Pitchfork, 20 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

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