impulsion

[ im-puhl-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of impelling, driving onward, or pushing.
2. the resulting state or effect; impulse; impetus.
3. the inciting influence of some feeling or motive; mental impulse.
4. a constraining or inciting action exerted on the mind or conduct:

   divine impulsion.

impulsion

/ ɪmˈpʌlʃən /

noun

1. the act of impelling or the state of being impelled
2. motion produced by an impulse; propulsion
3. a driving force; compulsion

Other Words From

• self-im·pulsion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of impulsion¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin impulsiōn- (stem of impulsiō ) incitement. See impulse, -ion

Example Sentences

“The singer might change the harmonic impulsion or narrative function.”

From New York Times

The impulsion outward disappears; they grow isolated and doctrinaire, more sectarian than evangelical.

From New York Times

Unfortunately for this argument, throughout the history of the subcontinent, there has existed an impulsion for unity.

From The Guardian

Everything is judged according to sacred precepts—“harmony,” “impulsion,” “self-carriage,” “submission”—that have come down intact from the ancien régime.

From The New Yorker

“Most able scientists I know have something for which ‘exploratory impulsion’ is not too grand a description … A strong sense of unease and dissatisfaction always goes with lack of comprehension.”

From Nature

Related Words

• desire
• feeling
• inclination
• influence
• instinct
• motivation
• motive
• notion
• passion
• thought
• whim
• wish