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.

As they approached the mainland, all, as if by involuntary impulse, looked back at the haunted island, looming darkly in the night.

From The Forest Runners A Story of the Great War Trail in Early Kentucky by Altsheler, Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander)

I was always very fond of little children, and even now, by an involuntary impulse, I gave a groschen to a boy who was skipping by me.

From Tales from the German Comprising specimens from the most celebrated authors by Various

Rivers yesterday was throwing flowers at me and Lucy, in play, as we were walking in the garden; I catched a wallflower, and, by an involuntary impulse, kissed it, and placed it in my bosom.

From The History of Emily Montague by Brooke, Frances

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)

But when he reached the farther corner some involuntary impulse turned him back.

From Port O' Gold A History-Romance of the San Francisco Argonauts by Stellman, Louis J. (Louis John)