impulsive

[ im-puhl-siv ]
/ ɪmˈpʌl sɪv /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR impulsive ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

actuated or swayed by emotional or involuntary impulses: an impulsive child.
having the power or effect of impelling; characterized by impulsion: impulsive forces.
inciting to action: the impulsive effects of a revolutionary idea.
Mechanics. (of forces) acting momentarily; not continuous.

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Origin of impulsive

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

synonym study for impulsive

1. See impetuous.

OTHER WORDS FROM impulsive

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH impulsive

1. compulsive, impulsive ; 2. impetuous, impulsive (see synonym study at impetuous).

Words nearby impulsive

impulse, impulse buying, impulse control disorder, impulse turbine, impulsion, impulsive, impulsive obsession, impundulu, impunity, impure, impure flutter
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to impulsive

impetuous, offhand, hasty, violent, abrupt, instinctive, passionate, spontaneous, ad-lib, automatic, careless, devil-may-care, emotional, extemporaneous, flaky, headlong, intuitive, involuntary, mad, precipitate

Example sentences from the Web for impulsive

British Dictionary definitions for impulsive

impulsive
/ (ɪmˈpʌlsɪv) /

adjective

characterized by actions based on sudden desires, whims, or inclinations rather than careful thoughtan impulsive man
based on emotional impulses or whims; spontaneousan impulsive kiss
forceful, inciting, or impelling
(of physical forces) acting for a short time; not continuous
(of a sound) brief, loud, and having a wide frequency range

Derived forms of impulsive

impulsively, adverbimpulsiveness, noun
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

Medical definitions for impulsive

impulsive
[ ĭm-pŭl′sĭv ]

adj.

Inclined or tending to act on impulse rather than thought.
Motivated by or resulting from impulse.

Other words from impulsive

im•pul′sive•ness null n.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.