impulsive

[ im-puhl-siv ]

/ ɪmˈpʌl sɪv /

SEE MORE 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.

Nearby words

impulse, impulse buying, impulse control disorder, impulse turbine, impulsion, impulsive, impulsive obsession, impundulu, impunity, impure, impure flutter

Origin of impulsive

1375–1425 for an earlier sense; 1545–55 for current senses; late Middle English impulsif < Medieval Latin impulsīvus. See impulse, -ive

SYNONYMS FOR impulsive

1 rash, quick, hasty. See impetuous.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR impulsive ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

im·pul·sive·ly, adverbim·pul·sive·ness, im·pul·siv·i·ty, nounnon·im·pul·sive, adjectivenon·im·pul·sive·ly, adverb

non·im·pul·sive·ness, nounun·im·pul·sive, adjectiveun·im·pul·sive·ly, adverb

Can be confused

compulsive impulsive impetuous (see synonym study at impetuous)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for impulsively

At the end of the eighth season, Marshall is offered judgeship and impulsively accepts before talking to Lily.
Everything You Need to Know About 'How I Met Your Mother'|Chancellor Agard|March 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Cons: Remembering what happened last time you impulsively embarked on a new fitness venture.
So You Are Enduring a Temporarily Paralyzing Winter Storm|Kelly Williams Brown|February 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Lane then impulsively kisses Joan in her office, a move that she gracefully dismisses without further wounding his pride.
‘Mad Men’ Returns: A Recap of Season Five|Jace Lacob|April 5, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The perpetrators were impulsively violent and willing to kill.
Pundits Pin Blame for Murderer Jovan Belcher on Everything But Him|Buzz Bissinger|December 5, 2012|DAILY BEAST

French President Nicolas Sarkozy was attacked for impulsively committing his military to support the uprising.
Libya War’s Unsung Heroes|Clive Irving|August 22, 2011|DAILY BEAST
As Faith beheld it she uttered a cry of joy and held out both hands toward him impulsively.
For Gold or Soul?|Lurana W. Sheldon
She made a few purchases at the drug store and then impulsively entered the telegraph office.
Behind the Green Door|Mildred A. Wirt
Oh,” she said impulsively, “if only––only you could have made yourself care for him.
The Phantom Lover|Ruby M. Ayres
"If I am anywhere near you, I must always attend to you before every one and anything in the wide world," she said, impulsively.
Coralie|Charlotte M. Braeme
"I should think any one would miss you," says Dorian, impulsively.
Faith and Unfaith|Duchess

British Dictionary definitions for impulsively

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

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

Medicine definitions for impulsively

impulsive

[ ĭm-pŭl′sĭv ]

adj.

Inclined or tending to act on impulse rather than thought.

Motivated by or resulting from impulse.

Related forms

im•pul′sive•ness null n.

impulsive

adjective

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of impulsive

SYNONYMS FOR impulsive

Related forms

Can be confused

Examples from the Web for impulsively

British Dictionary definitions for impulsively

impulsive

adjective

Derived Forms

Medicine definitions for impulsively

impulsive

adj.

Related forms