1
as in obsessive
caused by or suggestive of an irresistible urge
an impulsive purchase of a very expensive jacket
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in volatile
prone to sudden illogical changes of mind, ideas, or actions
an impulsive woman who never seems to have the same opinion about anything for longer than 10 minutes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in capriciousness
an inclination to sudden illogical changes of mind, ideas, or actions
his irrepressible impulsiveness sometimes got him into trouble
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of impulsive
Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 26 June 2025
The vaunting acclaim the retrospective elicited seems largely unwarranted, though in several brilliant sequences scattered throughout his work, the unruly Rozier achieved an impulsive kind of mastery.
—James Quandt, The New York Review of Books, 31 July 2025
Jena Malone played the Bennets’ youngest daughter, Lydia Bennet, whose impulsive behavior threatens the family’s reputation.
—Emily Blackwood, People.com, 30 July 2025
Symptoms associated with the disease include impulsive behavior and suicidal thoughts.
—Dianna Russini, New York Times, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for impulsive
Adjective
Just be sure to move carefully and with intention by taking time to review your options, understand the long-term impact and avoid making impulsive decisions out of stress or fear.
—Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 26 June 2025
The vaunting acclaim the retrospective elicited seems largely unwarranted, though in several brilliant sequences scattered throughout his work, the unruly Rozier achieved an impulsive kind of mastery.
—James Quandt, The New York Review of Books, 31 July 2025
Jena Malone played the Bennets’ youngest daughter, Lydia Bennet, whose impulsive behavior threatens the family’s reputation.
—Emily Blackwood, People.com, 30 July 2025
Symptoms associated with the disease include impulsive behavior and suicidal thoughts.
—Dianna Russini, New York Times, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for impulsive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impulsive
Adjective
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In addition, actor Devon Sawa, who portrayed obsessive fan Stan in the original video for the 2000 song from his The Marshall Mathers LP also pulled up to the STANS lookalike contest in New York to meet some fellow Stans, pose with Slim Shady and help judge the contest.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
7 Aug. 2025
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And then, there are obsessive checking habits, with users often responding to measurement changes rather than bodily cues.—
Taylor Lane,
Flow Space,
5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Not too happy about the volatile nature of PLTR stock?—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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Excluding the volatile food and energy categories, core prices rose 3.1%, up from 2.9% in June.—
Christopher Rugaber,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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There are discretionary income, repeat business and compulsive collectors at state.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 Aug. 2025
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Shay was diagnosed with preeclampsia and later HELLP syndrome (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelet count) and later postpartum obsessive compulsive disorder.—
David Oliver,
USA Today,
22 July 2025
Adjective
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The mild mannered, eccentric, addicted-to-fast-things Kentucky man has made a quick name for himself in the horse racing industry.—
Olivia Evans,
The Courier-Journal,
18 Aug. 2025
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Her biggest challenge for Season 5 is adding more depth to the eccentric, yet lovable, Mr. Johnson (William Stanford Davis).—
Giana Levy,
Variety,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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This eight-episode Netflix Arctic comedy is a must-watch about a young Inuk woman who wants to build a new future for herself and her daughter after a spontaneous split from her husband.—
Dana Feldman,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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What followed was a whirlwind of emergency vet visits, a spontaneous adoption and a shocking diagnosis that led to a major surgery.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The color palette depicting this album ranged from moody grays and off-whites to sepia tones and a spectrum of browns.—
Emily Williams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 Aug. 2025
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The upscale cocktail bar in Butchertown is outfitted with plaid and floral prints, colorful velvet couches, and a moody bar with green chairs and a wall of illuminated whiskey bottles as a centerpiece.—
Amanda Hancock,
The Courier-Journal,
31 July 2025
Adjective
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The Second Circuit sided with the federal government, finding that the Final Rule was neither arbitrary nor capricious.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
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The novelist liked playing God—a very capricious one.—
Judith Shulevitz,
The Atlantic,
10 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The food containers are all decorated with whimsical illustrations, and the bag even features a crossword puzzle with McDonaldland trivia.—
Erin Clements,
People.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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Known for its bold, joyfully offbeat designs, the brand delivers a whimsical take on everyday earrings with dangling freshwater pearls and seashell accents.—
Lauren Alexis Fisher,
Footwear News,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Impulsive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impulsive. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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