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impulsive Definition

im·pul·sive (im pul′siv)

adjective

  1. impelling; driving forward
    1. acting or likely to act on impulse an impulsive person
    2. produced by or resulting from a sudden impulse an impulsive remark
  3. Mech. acting briefly and as a result of impulse

Etymology: < MFr or ML: MFr impulsif < ML impulsivus < L impulsus, impulse

impulsive Related Forms
im·pul′·sively adverb im·pul′·sive·ness noun
impulsive Synonyms

impulsive

modif.

  1. Spontaneous

    offhand, unpremeditated, extemporaneous, spur-of-the-moment*; see automatic 2, extemporaneous, spontaneous.

  2. Impetuous

    sudden, hasty, unpredictable; see careless 1, changeable 1, rash. See syn. study at spontaneous.

impulsive Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • behavior: Uranus Trine Mars: Kamikazi could get in trouble with his sudden or impulsive behavior.
  • behavior: Severe anxiety can present with panic attacks, obsessional or impulsive behaviors, or phobias.
  • noise: Where an impulsive noise was in question, the noise sample includes a number of repetitions of the noise.
  • act: To his great regret, these impulsive acts cost him dearly.
  • reaction: Bottom line: actions, impulsive reactions, what you can ' do ' , creativity.
  • nature: Pay careful attention to details because your impulsive nature may miss a key element.

Modifying Another Word

  • very: You are very impulsive - every day is a new adventure.
  • too: The Southern heart is too impulsive; Southern hospitality is too lavish with the stranger.
  • so: His French, however, was obviously that of a native; and his French patriotism was so impulsive as to be slightly absurd.
  • dangerously: Mild or moderate conditions Anxiety, psychomotor agitation, violent or dangerously impulsive behavior.
  • often: He was a good fighter, but not very bright, and often impulsive.
  • purely: An infant's actions are purely impulsive reactions to the sensations and emotions he is experiencing.

Used with adjective complement

  • become: We thus shake off usual social controls and become more impulsive, irrational, aggressive and even violent.