Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Showing results for impulse.
Definitions

impulse

[im-puhls] / ˈɪm pʌls /
NOUN
drive, resolve
Synonyms
STRONGEST
desire feeling inclination influence instinct motivation motive notion passion thought whim wish
STRONG
actuation appeal bent caprice catalyst disposition excitant extemporization fancy flash goad hunch impulsion incitation incitement inspiration itch lash lust mind spontaneity spur urge vagary whimsy yen
WEAK
impellent
Antonyms
STRONGEST
concrete discouragement dislike hate hatred thing
STRONG
reality truth
NOUN
throb, stimulus
Synonyms
STRONGEST
impetus movement pulse vibration
STRONG
augmentation beat bump catalyst drive force impulsion lash momentum pressure propulsion pulsation push rush shock shove stroke surge thrust
Antonyms
STRONG
pull

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Not everyone is compelled to spend the extra money on a monogram for their jammies, but the impulse comes from the early days of life.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

I’m not sure we should reject the impulse to explore extreme ideas to stop global heating, since the current consensus seems to be doing next to nothing.

From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026

Yet the intellectual impulse behind it has not disappeared.

From Slate • Mar. 31, 2026

Those email promos are too good at winning over consumers — 72% of online shoppers have made an impulse purchase after seeing an advertised discount, according to Capital One Shopping.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

“Another minute, and she will despise me for a hypocrite,” thought I; and an impulse of fury against Reed, Brocklehurst, and Co. bounded in my pulses at the conviction.

From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë