WordValeimpulsive
acting on sudden urges
In more detail
1. (adjective) doing things suddenly without thinking carefully about the results
2. (adjective) resulting from a sudden desire or emotion rather than careful planning
Examples
- 1. He made an impulsive decision to quit his job without finding another one first.
- 2. Her impulsive purchase of expensive shoes left her with less money for bills.
How to use impulsive
Impulsive describes both the characteristic of a person (an impulsive person tends to act without forethought) and the nature of specific actions. It carries a mildly negative connotation, suggesting lack of reflection, though it can be neutral or even admiring in informal contexts. It differs from spontaneous, which may carry positive associations with naturalness or authenticity.
Common phrases
- impulsive decision
- impulsive purchase
- impulsive behavior
- impulsive act
- impulsive reaction
Synonyms
rash · hasty · spontaneous · unplanned · precipitate
Opposites
deliberate · cautious · measured
Word family
impulsively (adverb) · impulsiveness (noun) · impulse (noun)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse impulsive with compulsive; impulsive means acting without planning, while compulsive means driven by an irresistible urge or obsession.
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