impulses

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.

See Examples For:

impulses

A devotion to both impulses has marked America’s democratic experiment from the very beginning.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026

It’s no wonder that theater etiquette has declined when so many people are turning to their obsequious chatbots for validation of their worst impulses.

From Salon ● Jun. 28, 2026

Here, she discusses greedy women, cold mothers and her own tradwife impulses.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 8, 2026

"The US president has strong impulses that are not always easy to explain in terms of grand strategy," Clary says.

From BBC ● May 7, 2026

Pim always acts like the elderly father who once had the same fleeting impulses, but who can no longer relate to me as a friend, no matter how hard he tries.

From "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank