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.

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026

These include when the electrical impulses that regulate heartbeats don't function properly, or when the walls of the heart become inflamed or damaged.

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026

There are more impulses and ideas than can be dramatically metabolized.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

Are we still deserving of kindness when someone knows our darkest, most cruel impulses?

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026

He believes that there are impulses driving these multitaskers that don’t meet the eye.

From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel