involuntary impulse

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.

She glanced proudly at him once more, as by an involuntary impulse, and with a swelling breast rejoined, 'If what you say be true, he takes much needless trouble, sir, to compass his design.

From Barnaby Rudge: a tale of the Riots of 'eighty by Dickens, Charles

I had to smile, and yet tears came suddenly into my eyes, and yielding to an involuntary impulse, I asked: 'Anna Maria, do you really believe that Klaus will send Susanna away.'

From A Sister's Love A Novel by Heimburg, W.

The mate was startled, and his right hand moved, as if by involuntary impulse, toward the handle of a pistol.

From The Madman and the Pirate by Twidle, Arthur

Mary Taylor stirred in her seat under an involuntary impulse to help, but Cresswell touched the horse.

From The Quest of the Silver Fleece A Novel by Du Bois, W. E. B. (William Edward Burghardt)

And yet, no, not a thought, only an involuntary impulse of his lips, as when a draught of water is withheld from a thirsty man.

From The Hour Will Come: Volumes I and II A Tale of an Alpine Cloister by Hillern, Wilhelmine von