1
as in incentive
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 inclination
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 impulse
That is the thing that more people should do, more people should question their impulse toward compassion and hold it up against what is moral.
—
Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 8 May 2025
She was driven by the same impulse in her reportage, but what guides her dispatch is her belief in the overriding importance of the United States never standing by in the future while a country exercises the kind of ruthless power that turns a vulnerable civilian population into mass victims.
—Nicolaus Mills, New York Daily News, 8 May 2025
After all, this transit encourages us to act on our heart’s desires with confidence and courage — just be sure to keep an eye on your impulses!
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 6 May 2025
Some of his early policies—not least his tariffs—have been implemented in messy ways, and have at times appeared to be driven by incompatible impulses.
—Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for impulse
Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 8 May 2025
She was driven by the same impulse in her reportage, but what guides her dispatch is her belief in the overriding importance of the United States never standing by in the future while a country exercises the kind of ruthless power that turns a vulnerable civilian population into mass victims.
—Nicolaus Mills, New York Daily News, 8 May 2025
After all, this transit encourages us to act on our heart’s desires with confidence and courage — just be sure to keep an eye on your impulses!
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 6 May 2025
Some of his early policies—not least his tariffs—have been implemented in messy ways, and have at times appeared to be driven by incompatible impulses.
—Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for impulse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impulse
Noun
-
Deadline first told you this was in the works earlier this month and part of SP Media’s plans to boost local Hollywood shoots following their U.S. film and TV production incentive proposal to the President Donald Trump White House.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
20 May 2025
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Use incentive campaigns to drive reach growth and engagement, which will enhance conversions across your websites and platforms.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
Noun
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Additionally, the Bank of Japan’s inclination to tighten its monetary policy, which collides with the Asian nation’s fiscal woes, also have a hand in fueling the bond sell-off, said Varathan.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
22 May 2025
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But state officials have shown no inclination toward making alterations. California earlier this month joined a multi-state lawsuit challenging the Federal Highway Administration and the Trump administration from withholding billions of dollars to expand electric vehicle infrastructure.—
Rob Nikolewski,
Mercury News,
21 May 2025
Noun
-
And that is the impetus for a Wyldwood setup that will encourage cast and crew to keep their own family units intact during productions — not exactly the norm in the industry.—
Tatiana Siegel,
Variety,
22 May 2025
-
Political developments are a big impetus for the changes.—
Larry Light,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2025
Noun
-
As the graph shows below, Bellingham, like most of Real Madrid midfielders, has a tendency to hold on to the ball, whereas Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen midfield is defined by quick and incisive short passes.—
Mario Cortegana,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
-
Though moderators control questioning during such forums, too, candidates have a tendency to end up chiming in on each other’s answers when seated next to each other.—
Josephine Stratman,
New York Daily News,
20 May 2025
Noun
-
What stuck with her most were the messages of encouragement and the resilience of the kittens themselves.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
26 May 2025
-
In public support of his sister’s health journey, Robert Irwin also took to Instagram to share words of encouragement.—
Sara Vallone,
Miami Herald,
25 May 2025
Noun
-
However, instead of removing the minerals from the water, these devices make the minerals soluble in the water.—
Timothy Dale,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Mar. 2025
-
However, these incidents underscore the importance of regularly updating your devices to stay protected against evolving threats.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
Fox News,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The recordings revealed that AWB and ASH, two neurons that are responsible for making sense of olfactory stimuli, were activated when the corpses and fluids were present, indicating that the worms were smelling the signature of death.—
Sam Walters,
Discover Magazine,
23 May 2025
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When we get stung by a wasp, the association between pain and wasps is encoded in the region of the brain called the amygdala, which connects simple stimuli with basic emotions.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
21 May 2025
Noun
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Tools that assess personality, aptitude, reaction time, or cultural fit are also included.—
Alonzo Martinez,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
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Past Lives established director Celine Song’s aptitude at exploring complex love triangles, which looks to continue in her new romantic comedy.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Time,
16 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Impulse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impulse. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
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