Synonym Chooser

How is the word impulsive distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of impulsive are automatic, instinctive, mechanical, and spontaneous. While all these words mean "acting or activated without deliberation," impulsive implies acting under stress of emotion or spirit of the moment.

impulsive acts of violence

In what contexts can automatic take the place of impulsive?

The words automatic and impulsive can be used in similar contexts, but automatic implies action engaging neither the mind nor the emotions and connotes a predictable response.

his denial was automatic

When is instinctive a more appropriate choice than impulsive?

In some situations, the words instinctive and impulsive are roughly equivalent. However, instinctive stresses action involving neither judgment nor will.

blinking is an instinctive reaction

When can mechanical be used instead of impulsive?

Although the words mechanical and impulsive have much in common, mechanical stresses the lifeless, often perfunctory character of the response.

a mechanical teaching method

When might spontaneous be a better fit than impulsive?

While in some cases nearly identical to impulsive, spontaneous implies lack of prompting and connotes naturalness.

a spontaneous burst of applause

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of impulsive Back in 1937, Winfield James, Harry Caldwell and Jimmy Pickard — three impulsive teens from Abilene, just out of high school and trying to avoid summer jobs — paddled a small canoe some 660 miles down the Colorado from Ballinger, Texas, to the Gulf of Mexico. Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025 Icy yet impulsive Diana (Joanna Vanderham) blows up her relationship with Nancy over the satirical novel. Judy Berman, Time, 27 June 2025 On June 23, the sun in Cancer will square Neptune in Aries, creating a fog and tug-of-war that pits our emotional needs against our wildest, most impulsive desires. Valerie Mesa, People.com, 23 June 2025 Written and directed by documentarian Brian Tetsuro Ivie (Emanuel) in his narrative directorial debut, the film tells the story of an impulsive young woman and a reclusive older man who launch on a poignant cross‑country road trip. Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 26 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for impulsive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impulsive
Adjective
  • The ultralight backpacking movement, born from obsessive thru-hikers and eventually widely adopted by weekend warriors, has driven innovation in the outdoor gear industry for more than 20 years.
    Scott Gilbertson, Wired News, 16 July 2025
  • President Trump’s most vociferous media supporters have been in a full meltdown over the administration’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case, an obsessive focus of MAGA figures over the years.
    The Editors, National Review, 16 July 2025
Adjective
  • Create Short-term and Long-term Business Plans When getting your business off the ground, the beginning is often the most volatile time.
    Rhett Buttle, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
  • Traditionally, buyers use their personal bank accounts to buy a stablecoin, and then use the stablecoin to trade for some other kind of more volatile crypto, such as Bitcoin or something else.
    Allison Pecorin, ABC News, 18 July 2025
Adjective
  • The First Academy was portrayed as a compulsive cheater Bridgewater is being portrayed as a compassionate martyr.
    Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2025
  • Mellors’ elegant, compulsive debut novel explores the doomed relationship between lovers Cleo and Frank.
    Hattie Williams July 14, Literary Hub, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • The panelists discussed episode 4's introduction of a slew of new killers played by Stonestreet, Dastmalchian, Ritter, Neil Patrick Harris, and Uma Thurman, all employed in a secret society by an eccentric billionaire obsessed with serial killers (Peter Dinklage).
    EW.com, EW.com, 26 July 2025
  • The clever branding with eccentric names of the balls is already resonating with customers looking for unique gifts that blend humor with functionality.
    Matt Emma, USA Today, 24 July 2025
Adjective
  • The demanding executive might uncover a passion for art; the strategic planner might embrace spontaneous adventure.
    Lorraine Wiseman, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
  • First described in 2021, Marbach-Schaaf Syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a spontaneous (non-inherited) mutation in the PRKAR1B gene.
    Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 2025
Adjective
  • Then came the 2015 reboot, which was a bomb, turning the characters into sullen, moody versions of themselves (and Dr. Doom into an emo megalomaniac).
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 22 July 2025
  • His on-and-off-again relationship with D and overall moody vibe are defined through the ever-changing moon.
    Lisa Stardust, People.com, 19 July 2025
Adjective
  • In these environments expecting bosses to make capricious, mean or short-sighted decisions can be easily mistaken for intelligence.
    Dave Winsborough, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025
  • In the lawsuit, the attorneys general argue the rule is unlawful, arbitrary and capricious and would cause significant harm to states and their residents.
    Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 17 July 2025
Adjective
  • The intricate bee charm adds a whimsical yet sophisticated touch to any jewelry collection.
    Jené Luciani Sena may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom., FOXNews.com, 14 July 2025
  • With the whimsical bag charm craze showing no sign of a slow down, the timing couldn’t have been more perfect for this summer release.
    Adam Mansuroglu, Footwear News, 14 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Impulsive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impulsive. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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