impulsive

adjective

im·pul·sive | \ im-ˈpəl-siv

Definition of impulsive

1 : having the power of or actually driving or impelling

2a : arising from an impulse an impulsive decision

b : prone to act on impulse an impulsive young man

3 : acting momentarily

Other Words from impulsive Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about impulsive

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Choose the Right Synonym for impulsive

spontaneous, impulsive, instinctive, automatic, mechanical mean acting or activated without deliberation. spontaneous implies lack of prompting and connotes naturalness. a spontaneous burst of applause impulsive implies acting under stress of emotion or spirit of the moment. impulsive acts of violence instinctive stresses action involving neither judgment nor will. blinking is an instinctive reaction automatic implies action engaging neither the mind nor the emotions and connotes a predictable response. his denial was automatic mechanical stresses the lifeless, often perfunctory character of the response. a mechanical teaching method

Examples of impulsive in a Sentence

I couldn't make out exactly what had happened, though I could guess how it started—the two of them talking, kidding around when Mrs. Ramsey came down to the library basement to file some periodicals, an impulsive kiss in the stacks … — Tobias Wolff, Old School, 2003 There was an odd nobility, a knight-errant quality, about Alan—in his willingness to suffer for the sake of life itself, in his tendency to view himself under harsher light than he would turn on others, in his impulsive generosity. — Tracy Kidder, Home Town, 1999 So speaks Maude Bailey, the celibate feminist scholar heroine of A. S. Byatt's fifth novel, as, in an impulsive collusion with a male scholar she scarcely knows, she runs off to Brittany. — Joyce Carol Oates, Vogue, November 1990 She's impulsive and often does things that she later regrets. He needs to learn to control his impulsive behavior. She made an impulsive decision to quit her job.

Recent Examples on the Web

The fashion industry has become one of rapid and impulsive consumption. — Vogue, "19 FIT, Pratt, and Parsons 2019 Graduates on Their Collections and the Future of Fashion," 22 May 2019 Yet from the beginning, Trump's approach to North Korea faced particular disadvantages, including a lack of experienced advisors, the president's own impulsive nature and internal disagreements about how to approach the talks. — Eli Stokols, latimes.com, "How plans for a North Korea summit collapsed: Trump sought a legacy, underestimated the difficulty," 25 May 2018 But Kerr’s impulsive instinct, triggered by a sloppy pass from Stephen Curry, was correct. — Ben Golliver, SI.com, "The Warriors' Oldest Nemesis Returns With a Vengeance," 23 May 2018 Like a Gemini, Scarlet Witch is adaptable, intelligent, and even a little impulsive. — Marilyn La Jeunesse, Teen Vogue, "Which Superhero You Are According to Your Zodiac Sign," 26 Apr. 2019 The following day Mercury enters bold, impulsive Aries on Wednesday, April 17, following the sun into your house of career. — Randon Rosenbohm, Allure, "What April’s Cancer Horoscope Means for You," 31 Mar. 2019 The system will use the loud, impulsive sounds produced by snapping shrimp as sources of opportunity in a multi static sonar system - detecting reflections of those sounds off of the underwater vehicle. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "DARPA Wants to Turn Sealife Into a Giant Submarine Detection Network," 5 Mar. 2019 The eldest of Victoria, Princess Royal's children, Wilhelm was considered brash and impulsive, traits that alienated many and played a significant role in the start of the war. — Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, "Queen Victoria's Descendants Still Reign Over Europe," 17 Feb. 2019 Here, two college roommates—assured, resourceful, generous Otilia (an astonishing Anamaria Marinca) and sweet, impulsive, selfish Găbita (Laura Vasiliu)—share an experience that will forever change them, in ways expected and otherwise. — David Mermelstein, WSJ, "Cinematic Treasures From an Unexpected Place," 22 Jan. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'impulsive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.