Definitions

impulsive

[im-puhl-siv] / ɪmˈpʌl sɪv /

ADJECTIVE

tending to act without thought

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abrupt hasty impetuous instinctive offhand passionate spontaneous violent

WEAK

ad-lib automatic careless devil-may-care emotional extemporaneous flaky gone off deep end headlong hot-and-cold intuitive involuntary jumping the gun mad precipitate quick rash sudden swift unconsidered unexpected unmeditated unpredictable unpremeditated unprompted up-and-down winging it

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm deliberate planned sensible

WEAK

cautious considering heedful premeditative thoughtful wise

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Sally contacted the BBC after one of her daughters sent her a link to BBC podcast series Impulsive, released in February 2026, and told her: "We think this is you."

From BBC • May 1, 2026

Its legions of die-hard fans include Cody Esser, who visited 33 Texas stores in three days for his Impulsive Traveler Guy blog.

From Washington Post • Aug. 14, 2019

“The upside for me is it covers some of my expenses and it keeps the crew busy,” said Hank Freid, chief executive of The Impulsive Group, which owns the yacht Mr. Rosenfeld chartered.

From New York Times • Feb. 13, 2015

Impulsive, entrancing Gus whisks her and her mom off to Amsterdam to meet her hero, and it is a journey that is to bring their relationship to a crisis.

From The Guardian • Jun. 19, 2014

Impulsive and spontaneous innocence is higher than the strength to conquer temptation.

From Critical Miscellanies, Vol. 1, Essay 5, Emerson by Morley, John

Vocabulary lists containing impulsive

List 1

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The Lightning Thief

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Dracula

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