impulse
12 synonyms and 2 antonyms for impulse, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A sudden strong urge to act, often without thinking it through.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use impulse
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
on impulse
impulse buy
resist the impulse
Etymology
From Latin impulsus, from impellere ("to push against, urge on").
Full origin of impulse →Frequently asked questions
What does “impulse” mean?
The word “impulse” means a sudden strong urge to act, often without thinking it through. In plain terms, a sudden urge to do something, or (more technically) a sudden burst of force or energy.
How do you pronounce “impulse”?
“Impulse” is pronounced IHM-puhls (/ˈɪmpʌls/ in IPA).
How do you use “impulse” in a sentence?
Here is “impulse” used in a sentence: “She had a sudden impulse to quit her job and travel the world.”
What part of speech is “impulse”?
“Impulse” is a noun.
Where does the word “impulse” come from?
The word “impulse” comes from Latin. From Latin impulsus, from impellere ("to push against, urge on").
Is “impulse” a common word?
“Impulse” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “impulse” have?
“Impulse” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a sudden strong urge to act, often without thinking it through.
What is the difference between impulse and instinct?
Impulse refers to a sudden urge to act, often without thinking it through, and can arise from emotion or momentary desire. Instinct refers to an innate, automatic behavior pattern that is not learned, such as a natural reaction present from birth, making instinct more biologically fixed than a passing impulse.
What does impulse mean in physics?
In physics, impulse refers to a sudden force or push that sets an object in motion, related to the change in momentum an object experiences. This technical sense is distinct from the everyday meaning of a sudden urge to act.
What does it mean to buy something on impulse?
Buying something on impulse means making a purchase suddenly, driven by a spontaneous urge rather than careful planning, which is why unplanned purchases are often called impulse buys. This term is widely used in retail and marketing.
