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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 Word Forms

  • 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

Examples have not been reviewed.

A condition that affects people's behaviour, the 42-year-old said she was always trying new things, never felt settled, and was impulsive.

From BBC

"There is no grand plan or strategic vision, no matter what his advisers claim — only the impulsive actions of a mad king," explained Jamelle Bouie in the New York Times on Wednesday.

From Salon

Tom Pyun’s fast-paced ‘Something Close to Nothing’ uses everything from Meryl Streep to hip-hop dance to remind us that gay parents are as impulsive and conflicted as anyone else.

The origin story Halili gave the Christian-themed magazine Relevant for a January profile makes the decision to start the podcast sound impulsive.

From Salon

I think Jaclyn made a really impulsive decision that was, in her mind, fleeting and was fulfilling something in her that felt like a natural reaction to feeling ignored.

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impulsionimpulsiveness