impulsive
[im-puhl-siv]
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Origin of impulsive
Synonyms
See more synonyms for impulsive on Thesaurus.com1. rash, quick, hasty. See impetuous.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for impulsive
Contemporary Examples
So, did Opperud make the plan and then get the impulsive Lane to come with him at the last second?
But Hezbollah has more pressing strategic imperatives today, and Nasrallah is not known as an impulsive leader.
Griffith is hardly alone amongst the lovelorn, impulsive, and unfortunately tattooed.
As someone who spent time with him in his 2008 campaign put it, he would have been an impulsive, perilous president.
I think that Michael would hate to be falsely remembered as perfect in retrospect—he was mercurial, impulsive, and intense.
Historical Examples
She was uneducated and ill-mannered, impulsive and quarrelsome.
HandelEdward J. Dent
With an impulsive and pretty gesture she reached out her hand to him.
The Gentleman From IndianaBooth Tarkington
"I don't know about that," he said, not content with this impulsive assurance.
Alice AdamsBooth Tarkington
She placed her hand in his, and responded to the impulsive pressure with which he clasped it.
The Inn at the Red OakLatta Griswold
She drew the paper from her muff with an impulsive movement and thrust it toward him.
The Inn at the Red OakLatta Griswold
impulsive
- 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
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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
Word Origin and History for impulsive
adj.
early 15c., originally in reference to medicine that reduces swelling or humors, from Middle French impulsif or directly from Medieval Latin impulsivus, from Latin impuls-, past participle stem of impellere (see impel). Of persons, "rash, characterized by impulses," from 1847.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
impulsive
(ĭm-pŭl′sĭv)- Inclined or tending to act on impulse rather than thought.
- Motivated by or resulting from impulse.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.