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View synonyms for impulsive

impulsive

[ im-puhl-siv ]

adjective

  1. actuated or swayed by emotional or involuntary impulses:

    an impulsive child.

    Synonyms: hasty, quick, rash

  2. having the power or effect of impelling; characterized by impulsion:

    impulsive forces.

  3. inciting to action:

    the impulsive effects of a revolutionary idea.

  4. Mechanics. (of forces) acting momentarily; not continuous.


impulsive

/ ɪmˈpʌlsɪv /

adjective

  1. characterized by actions based on sudden desires, whims, or inclinations rather than careful thought

    an impulsive man

  2. based on emotional impulses or whims; spontaneous

    an impulsive kiss

  3. forceful, inciting, or impelling
  4. (of physical forces) acting for a short time; not continuous
  5. (of a sound) brief, loud, and having a wide frequency range
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • imˈpulsiveness, noun
  • imˈpulsively, adverb
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Other Words From

  • im·pul·sive·ly adverb
  • im·pul·siv·i·ty [im-puhl-, siv, -i-tee], im·pul·sive·ness noun
  • non·im·pul·sive adjective
  • non·im·pul·sive·ly adverb
  • un·im·pul·sive adjective
  • un·im·pul·sive·ly adverb
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Word History and Origins

Origin of impulsive1

First recorded in 1375–1425 for an earlier sense; 1545–55 for current senses; late Middle English impulsif, from Medieval Latin impulsīvus; impulse, -ive
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Synonym Study

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Example Sentences

In a paper published in Qualitative Market Research, researchers detail as cash fades from our wallets, so too does our awareness of spending, leading to impulsive and unnecessary purchases.

Ana first noticed her symptoms at school when she found that she was overly-distracted and impulsive.

From BBC

Others predicted that Trump’s rallies in blue states would be failures that reflect the nature of Trump's impulsive and amateurish campaign.

From Salon

“I was not at all surprised because he was a bigot. And he was impulsive. But I said, ‘I’m gonna get married no matter what you think.’”

From Salon

With her new driver's license in hand, she does what is impulsive and probably the wrong thing to do.

From Salon

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impulsionimpulsiveness