Definition of impulsive
impulsively
adverbimpulsiveness
nounRead the Latest from M-W
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 of impulsive from the Web
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Your comments simply need to be less impulsive and more strategic.
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The formalities and discipline of diplomacy have been a rough fit for Trump – who, before taking office, was long easily accessible by cellphone and viewed himself as freewheeling, impulsive dealmaker.
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She was cast as a woman so hopelessly immature that the ensemble around her functioned as a support system, and what little plot existed was driven by her impulsive foolishness.
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The Times published a remarkable story this week about the President’s impulsive decision-making.
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Aesthetics are particularly important in the produce department because most purchases are impulsive, grocers say.
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People respond to Siddhartha’s impulsive intensity—he’s a demon Scrabble player—and to Sarah’s more free-spirited humor.
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Neil works on improving his public image while Grace makes an impulsive decision due to pressures at work.
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DeBronkart, for one, was a bit hyperactive as a kid, though not impulsive or aggressive enough to cause real trouble.
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.
Origin and Etymology of impulsive
see 2impulse
First Known Use: 15th century
Synonym Discussion of impulsive
Other Psychology Terms
IMPULSIVE Defined for English Language Learners
impulsive
playDefinition of impulsive for English Language Learners
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: doing things or tending to do things suddenly and without careful thought : acting or tending to act on impulse
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: done suddenly and without planning : resulting from a sudden impulse
IMPULSIVE Defined for Kids
impulsive
playDefinition of impulsive for Students
1 : acting or tending to act suddenly and without careful thought He's impulsive and does things he regrets.
2 : resulting from a sudden impulse an impulsive decision
impulsively
adverbMedical Dictionary
Learn More about impulsive
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for impulsive Spanish Central: Translation of impulsive Nglish: Translation of impulsive for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of impulsive for Arabic speakers
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