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.

After watching him for some time, Nigel, under an almost involuntary impulse, shouted “Hullo!”

From Blown to Bits The Lonely Man of Rakata, the Malay Archipelago by Ballantyne, R. M. (Robert Michael)

Lee and his staff almost with involuntary impulse returned the salute in like fashion.

From The Shades of the Wilderness A Story of Lee's Great Stand by Altsheler, Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander)

It was a perfectly unaccountable and perhaps involuntary impulse; for he still could not absolve the other from dark and heavy guilt.

From Sword and Gown A Novel by Lawrence, George A. (George Alfred)

By an involuntary impulse the Ballawhaine turned his eyes upward to the ceiling while she spoke, as if he had expected to see the ghosts of his father and his brother threatening him.

From The Manxman A Novel - 1895 by Caine, Hall, Sir

Nor can any one be surprised or scandalized, if I acknowledge my weakness in stating that I could not resist an involuntary impulse to laugh at them "in my sleeve."

From Auricular Confession and Popish Nunneries Volumes I. and II., Complete by Hogan, William