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 But a look back at his life also turns up episodes of impulsive decision making and possible financial mismanagement. Kyle Khan-Mullins, Forbes, 7 Feb. 2025 There are many factors, including comparisons, exposures to unattainable body ideals and intensification of impulsive behaviors, Nagata said. Madeline Holcombe, CNN, 28 Jan. 2025 The microplastics and waste resulting from our impulsive purchases deteriorate our world. The Learning Network, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025 The two girls are both Muslim but otherwise unalike; Doe, from Somalia, is quiet and thoughtful, while Muna, from a Pakistani family, is brash, impulsive, and, at times, troublingly aggressive. Damon Wise, Deadline, 24 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for impulsive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impulsive
Adjective
  • So Far The studio run-throughs of the entire album are a delight to sample, as the occasional rough patches and vocal improvisations add authenticity to the band’s obsessive crusade for perfection.
    Ernesto Lechner, Rolling Stone, 6 Mar. 2025
  • The somewhat anonymous shapes of the EQS and EQE have not earned those machines many fans outside of obsessive aerodynamicists.
    Tim Stevens, Ars Technica, 3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Hence, despite its extremely high valuation, the stock appears attractive but volatile, which supports our conclusion that AVGO is a tricky stock to buy.
    Trefis Team, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Wall Street ultimately found the business too volatile and debt-heavy to get fully behind the stock.
    Dade Hayes, Deadline, 27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The school districts allege the companies designed their products in a way that encourages compulsive use, instills anxiety when users aren’t on the platform often enough and provides inadequate parental controls.
    Silas Allen, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Feb. 2025
  • As the chief of the Stanford Addiction Medicine Dual Diagnosis Clinic, she’s seen firsthand the harmful effects that compulsive use of social media, online shopping and video games can have on a relationship.
    Aditi Shrikant, CNBC, 14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • After an exciting night at the 97th Academy Awards on Sunday, March 2, the Wicked star opted for a late-night indulgence in an eccentric black dress, heading to Raising Cane's for some classic comfort food, as seen in a photo that was shared to the famous chain's Instagram.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
  • The character is both eccentric and not exactly honest in his quest to reunite with his estranged, now adult children in the film.
    Lisa Respers France, CNN, 2 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Creates opportunities for mentorship and career development through spontaneous interactions.
    Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Those days of spontaneous travel and memorable experiences don't have to be over.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Full array local dimming provides solid contrast for moody movies, and sports look great on the big display.
    K. Thor Jensen, PCMAG, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Digital imagery pulsed with the restless energy of today, layered over deep, moody lighting that sharpened every moment.
    Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The doctors argued the removal was arbitrary and capricious, violating the Administrative Procedure Act and the Paperwork Reduction Act.
    Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025
  • The states are alleging that this fails to make the policy any less arbitrary or capricious.
    John Timmer, Ars Technica, 10 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • In fact, Bille Brahe has been spending more time in the city as of late, recently opening her first U.S. store on the Upper East Side, bringing the full expression of her whimsical work Stateside.
    Thomas Waller, WWD, 6 Mar. 2025
  • At first glance, however, Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, with its whimsical magic and fantastical elements, is an unlikely fit for Soviet children’s literature, which favored themes of hard work and collective struggle over wish fulfillment and enchantment.
    Christin Bohnke, JSTOR Daily, 5 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Impulsive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impulsive. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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