Impulsive

Acting or done on impulse; driven by sudden desires or feelings without careful thought or consideration of consequences.

adjective

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Imagine This

Imagine you’re browsing a store online. A flashy gadget pops up, you click 'buy now' and order it within seconds, without checking the price or your budget.

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Sounds Like

im-PUL-siv, IPA: ɪmˈpʌlsɪv

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Looks Like

Looks like 'impulse' with the -ive suffix

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Remember This

Impulsive describes actions taken quickly and without planning. It often carries a negative tone in writing, suggesting a lack of forethought; the opposite is deliberate decision-making.

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Other Forms

impulsivenessnoun

impulsivelyadverb

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Connect With

spontaneous, rash, impetuous, reckless, hasty, impulsively

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Note

Common collocations include 'impulsive decision,' 'impulsive buy,' and 'impulsive behavior.' To form related words, use impulsiveness (noun) and impulsively (adverb).

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Study Deeper

Examples

Her impulsive decision to quit the job surprised her family.
The impulsive purchase drained a significant portion of his savings.

Synonyms

spontaneousrashimpetuousrecklesshasty

Antonyms

deliberateplannedcautious

Etymology

From the noun impulse + the suffix -ive. Impulse derives from Latin impulsus, from impellere 'to drive toward; to urge on'.

Mnemonic

IM-PULSE-IVE: Imagine an inner pulse pushing you to act immediately; if you act on that pulse, you are impulsive.

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Moderate

adjective

Not extreme or excessive; in the middle in degree or intensity; prudent and balanced.

Dearth

noun

Scarcity; a lack of something that is needed or desired.

Baneful

adjective

Poisonous, harmful, and destructive; capable of causing ruin or injury.

Similar Words

Related words and words with the same part of speech.

Spontaneous

adjective

Produced by a sudden inner impulse or without premeditation; happening naturally and unplanned; arising from within rather than being forced from without.