impulsive

adjective

im-ˈpəl-siv How to pronounce impulsive (audio)
Definition of impulsivenext
1
as in obsessive
caused by or suggestive of an irresistible urge an impulsive purchase of a very expensive jacket

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in volatile
prone to sudden illogical changes of mind, ideas, or actions an impulsive woman who never seems to have the same opinion about anything for longer than 10 minutes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word impulsive distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of impulsive are automatic, instinctive, mechanical, and spontaneous. While all these words mean "acting or activated without deliberation," impulsive implies acting under stress of emotion or spirit of the moment.

impulsive acts of violence

In what contexts can automatic take the place of impulsive?

The words automatic and impulsive can be used in similar contexts, but automatic implies action engaging neither the mind nor the emotions and connotes a predictable response.

his denial was automatic

When is instinctive a more appropriate choice than impulsive?

In some situations, the words instinctive and impulsive are roughly equivalent. However, instinctive stresses action involving neither judgment nor will.

blinking is an instinctive reaction

When can mechanical be used instead of impulsive?

Although the words mechanical and impulsive have much in common, mechanical stresses the lifeless, often perfunctory character of the response.

a mechanical teaching method

When might spontaneous be a better fit than impulsive?

While in some cases nearly identical to impulsive, spontaneous implies lack of prompting and connotes naturalness.

a spontaneous burst of applause

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of impulsive Saturn in Aries can be a complex combination because the fire sign is impulsive, and the planet itself is known to be strategic. —Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 21 May 2025 Expect fewer impulsive decisions and a focus on long-term stability during this time as Mercury enters Taurus on May 10 Comments Get ready for a mental shift, and don’t be afraid to stick to your guns! —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 10 May 2025 Lori, impulsive and headstrong in her own way, won’t let Ruth slip away so easily. —Zac Ntim, Deadline, 17 May 2025 Grandchildren who are close to grandparents are more secure, perform better in school and are less impulsive. —Mark Gerson, FOXNews.com, 17 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for impulsive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impulsive
  1. obsessive
  2. volatile
  3. compulsive
  4. eccentric
  5. spontaneous
  6. moody
  7. capricious
  8. whimsical
Adjective
  • Even with an obsessive showrunner at the helm, this series would’ve gone nowhere without the outsized talents of our writers’ room.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 30 May 2025
  • Betting Big on the Creator Middle Class Stan has grown to more than 70,000 users in just three years, a trajectory that founder and CEO John Hu attributes to obsessive focus on creators who are building real, sustainable businesses without massive teams, investors or platforms.
    — Ian Shepherd, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
Definition of obsessive
Adjective
  • Rising prices, fomenting trade wars, and uncertainty about when tariffs will go into effect has led to a volatile economic climate.
    — Boone Ashworth, Wired News, 4 June 2025
  • Shortly after, Mars will square Uranus on June 15, creating a volatile energy between your desire for personal freedom and autonomy, versus unpredictable events that shake up your day-to-day routines and sense of stability.
    — Valerie Mesa, People.com, 4 June 2025
Definition of volatile
Adjective
  • That compulsive need for authority is a quality that Reubens’ friends and family members observed in him, going all the way back to his childhood.
    — Dave Itzkoff, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025
  • There are also potential long-term effects on kittens separated too early, with studies showing that kittens taken from their mother too early may be increasingly vocal in stressful situations or at higher risk of developing compulsive behaviors or aggression.
    — Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 May 2025
Definition of compulsive
Adjective
  • Plus this mischievous creature had a lot of eccentric friends.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 24 May 2025
  • There are also new characters for guests to greet and learn their lore — an eccentric monster hunter and a talented musician who regales guests with songs and tales.
    — Samantha Neely, USA Today, 23 May 2025
Definition of eccentric
Adjective
  • Yet for shows like the one in Houston, Erivo is aiming for something looser, more spontaneous, slightly lower-key.
    — Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2025
  • For travelers looking for nearby, spontaneous adventures, Airbnb’s summer report also shares the top trending domestic destinations among US guests this summer, with unique stays ranging from cozy cabins to beach house retreats.
    — Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
Definition of spontaneous
Adjective
  • Detective decor, candles and moody florals from Flowers by Janie set the scene.
    — Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 22 May 2025
  • But her hair isn’t the only moody part of her glam.
    — Catharine Malzahn, Glamour, 22 May 2025
Definition of moody
Adjective
  • The capricious whims of John Mulaney Excuse the Instagram post of filmed TV, but that’s the only way this clip from Everybody’s Live With John Mulaney exists online, for some reason.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2025
  • The lawsuit argues the cuts are ‘arbitrary and capricious’ and unconstitutional.
    — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2025
Definition of capricious
Adjective
  • Matty’s Easter egg blue Lafayette 148 blazer and whimsical paw-print shirt by MNG act as a double agent, and her Clarks flats both enhance a deceptive shuffle and allow for covert, nimble movement.
    — Fawnia Soo Hoo, HollywoodReporter, 28 May 2025
  • Punctuated by stripes and slim, knobby legs, this whimsical seating looks like something Tim Burton would dream up for your next happy hour.
    — Kelly Dawson, Architectural Digest, 28 May 2025
Definition of whimsical

Browse Nearby Words

impulsion
impulsive
impulsively
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Impulsive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impulsive. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on impulsive

Nglish: Translation of impulsive for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

'Bring' vs. 'Take'

Is it 'used to' or 'use to'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

10 Hella Good U.S. Regionalisms

Some Data About 'Datum'

The Clinical History of 'Moron,' 'Idiot,' and 'Imbecile'
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All