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.

Iran's top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf also said that "wrong strategies and impulsive decisions will... create an endless quagmire that you will be stuck in for years".

From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026

Adversaries thought that Turner’s ventures could be reckless and impulsive.

From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026

Adventurous and impulsive, Turner made a mark in many walks of life.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

But during her sentencing ruling Olivier said "it wasn't... an impulsive act. It was the event of the evening," the AFP news agency reports.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

“Oh, Frank, dear, I do love you,” I said, and he turned rather pink, a little shocked I think at my impulsive words, and a little hurt too that I was laughing at him.

From "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier

Vocabulary lists containing impulsive

List 1

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The Lightning Thief

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Dracula

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