impulsivity

American  

[im-puhl-siv-i-tee] / ɪmˌpʌlˈsɪv ɪ ti /

Also impulsiveness

noun

1. the quality of being easily swayed by emotional or involuntary urges or by momentary desires, without weighing them rationally.

   Insufficient sleep may increase the potential for risk-taking by compromising decision-making and increasing impulsivity.

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Other Word Forms

• nonimpulsiveness
  noun
• nonimpulsivity
  noun

Etymology

Origin of impulsivity

impulsiv(e) ( def. ) + -ity ( def. )

Example Sentences

Dementia tends to be thought of mostly as a memory-loss disease, but there are many other aspects, including disorientation, difficulty balancing, poor coordination, trouble multitasking, confusion, wandering, apathy, irritability, impulsivity, poor judgment, and social inappropriateness.

From Slate • Jan. 26, 2026

Many of us suffer from cognitive impulsivity, or a difficulty with pausing.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 23, 2026

"These insights should inspire further research into developing a treatment better tailored to the impulsivity traits of obesity and related eating disorders that is safe and long-lasting."

From Science Daily • Dec. 8, 2025

If you decide to retire abroad, impulsivity works against you.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 31, 2025

There are many biological influences of psychological traits such as cognitive ability, conscientiousness, impulsivity, and risk aversion.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker