IMPULSIVE Synonyms: 95 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'impulsive' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of impulsive are automatic , instinctive , mechanical , and spontaneous . While all these words mean "acting or activated without deliberation," impulsive implies acting under stress of emotion or spirit of the moment. // impulsive acts of violence

Q: In what contexts can 'automatic' take the place of 'impulsive'?

The words automatic and impulsive can be used in similar contexts, but automatic implies action engaging neither the mind nor the emotions and connotes a predictable response. // his denial was automatic

Q: When is 'instinctive' a more appropriate choice than 'impulsive'?

In some situations, the words instinctive and impulsive are roughly equivalent. However, instinctive stresses action involving neither judgment nor will. // blinking is an instinctive reaction

Q: When can 'mechanical' be used instead of 'impulsive'?

Although the words mechanical and impulsive have much in common, mechanical stresses the lifeless, often perfunctory character of the response. // a mechanical teaching method

Q: When might 'spontaneous' be a better fit than 'impulsive'?

While in some cases nearly identical to impulsive , spontaneous implies lack of prompting and connotes naturalness. // a spontaneous burst of applause

impulsive

adjective

im-ˈpəl-siv

Definition of impulsive next

as in obsessive

caused by or suggestive of an irresistible urge an impulsive purchase of a very expensive jacket

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in volatile

prone to sudden illogical changes of mind, ideas, or actions an impulsive woman who never seems to have the same opinion about anything for longer than 10 minutes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word impulsive distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of impulsive are automatic, instinctive, mechanical, and spontaneous. While all these words mean "acting or activated without deliberation," impulsive implies acting under stress of emotion or spirit of the moment.

impulsive acts of violence

In what contexts can automatic take the place of impulsive?

The words automatic and impulsive can be used in similar contexts, but automatic implies action engaging neither the mind nor the emotions and connotes a predictable response.

his denial was automatic

When is instinctive a more appropriate choice than impulsive?

In some situations, the words instinctive and impulsive are roughly equivalent. However, instinctive stresses action involving neither judgment nor will.

blinking is an instinctive reaction

When can mechanical be used instead of impulsive?

Although the words mechanical and impulsive have much in common, mechanical stresses the lifeless, often perfunctory character of the response.

a mechanical teaching method

When might spontaneous be a better fit than impulsive?

While in some cases nearly identical to impulsive, spontaneous implies lack of prompting and connotes naturalness.

a spontaneous burst of applause

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of impulsive Does the child make impulsive decisions that might be regretted later? —

Madeline Holcombe, CNN, 30 Nov. 2024 One league source wouldn’t put the Bears anywhere near the same level of deterrence as the New York Jets, whose owner, Woody Johnson, has a reputation for being impulsive and volatile. —

Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 30 Nov. 2024 Both belong to a class of drugs known as stimulants, which help increase focus and control impulsive behaviors by acting on chemicals in the brain.3 While Desoxyn contains methamphetamine and Adderall is a mix of amphetamine salts, these medications work in similar ways to manage symptoms of ADHD. —

T'keyah Bazin, Pharmd, Verywell Health, 29 Oct. 2024 While some viewers praised the method as a straightforward way to reduce impulsive buying, others questioned its practicality. —

Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for impulsive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impulsive

Adjective

The modern coach’s quest to remove jeopardy within matches is obsessive and Emery believes opponents can be negated by keeping the ball for long, often slow, periods.

Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024
Healthy love is not obsessive, but reliable, balanced and uplifting, and many long for such a dynamic.

Mark Travers, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024