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

Example 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 While walking past Finnegan’s, Byrne spotted Brosnan and made an impulsive gesture. Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 20 July 2025 The impulsive, wandering, protean essence of Varda’s work is reflected in the show’s title. Richard Brody, New Yorker, 15 July 2025 Students are young, impulsive and make mistakes, but they are not always treated that way, said Amber West, an organizer with Leaders Igniting Transformation, a local nonprofit that for years has opposed police in MPS schools. Cleo Krejci, jsonline.com, 15 July 2025 Merz, 69, is impulsive, prickly under pressure and occasionally leans into populist bluster. Sebastian Shukla, CNN Money, 26 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for impulsive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impulsive
Adjective
  • Known for his signature style and obsessive attention to detail, Anderson’s work is distinctive, imaginative, and—above all—meticulous.
    Brett Braley, Robb Report, 30 July 2025
  • So, just stay in the moment, take care of the little things, be consistent with my process, and be obsessive with my process, and make sure nothing's non-negotiable.
    Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025
Adjective
  • Create Short-term and Long-term Business Plans When getting your business off the ground, the beginning is often the most volatile time.
    Rhett Buttle, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
  • The law provides a federal framework for stablecoins, a form of cryptocurrency that's considered less volatile than other cryptocurrencies, as each token is backed by the US dollar or other supposedly low-risk assets.
    Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 18 July 2025
Adjective
  • The First Academy was portrayed as a compulsive cheater Bridgewater is being portrayed as a compassionate martyr.
    Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2025
  • The app is not designed for compulsive user engagement, the company never sells user data, and there are no comments sections.
    Aarushi Bhandari, The Conversation, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • The panelists discussed episode 4's introduction of a slew of new killers played by Stonestreet, Dastmalchian, Ritter, Neil Patrick Harris, and Uma Thurman, all employed in a secret society by an eccentric billionaire obsessed with serial killers (Peter Dinklage).
    EW.com, EW.com, 26 July 2025
  • The clever branding with eccentric names of the balls is already resonating with customers looking for unique gifts that blend humor with functionality.
    Matt Emma, USA Today, 24 July 2025
Adjective
  • The demanding executive might uncover a passion for art; the strategic planner might embrace spontaneous adventure.
    Lorraine Wiseman, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
  • First described in 2021, Marbach-Schaaf Syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a spontaneous (non-inherited) mutation in the PRKAR1B gene.
    Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 2025
Adjective
  • Then came the 2015 reboot, which was a bomb, turning the characters into sullen, moody versions of themselves (and Dr. Doom into an emo megalomaniac).
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 22 July 2025
  • His on-and-off-again relationship with D and overall moody vibe are defined through the ever-changing moon.
    Lisa Stardust, People.com, 19 July 2025
Adjective
  • In these environments expecting bosses to make capricious, mean or short-sighted decisions can be easily mistaken for intelligence.
    Dave Winsborough, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025
  • In the lawsuit, the attorneys general argue the rule is unlawful, arbitrary and capricious and would cause significant harm to states and their residents.
    Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 17 July 2025
Adjective
  • The whimsical garden aesthetic is trending—and not just on social media.
    Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 July 2025
  • Dior Spa’s on-board treatments are curated with luxurious care designed with technique and ingredients inspired by the whimsical and magical Scottish landscape, What if wellness, fashion, fine dining and heritage craftsmanship could co-exist in transit, and more importantly, transact in motion?
    Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Impulsive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impulsive. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

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