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.

Origin of impulsive

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

OTHER WORDS FROM impulsive

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH impulsive

compulsive impulsive impetuous (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

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 thought an impulsive man
based on emotional impulses or whims; spontaneous an 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, adverb impulsiveness, noun

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.