1
as in obsessive
caused by or suggestive of an irresistible urge
an impulsive purchase of a very expensive jacket
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of impulsive
Owner Woody Johnson is known for being impulsive and impatient, two things that wouldn't be in the head coach's favor.
—
Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Consider children who have five inattentive symptoms and five hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.
—Carol Mathews, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 2025
The first one, known as Cell Adhesion Molecule 2 (CADM2), has previously been linked to impulsive personality, obesity, and cancer metastasis.
—Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2025
Finally, as ever, the potential for rash, impulsive decisions with disastrous long-term consequences is never out of mind with this franchise.
—John Hollinger, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impulsive
Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Consider children who have five inattentive symptoms and five hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.
—Carol Mathews, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 2025
The first one, known as Cell Adhesion Molecule 2 (CADM2), has previously been linked to impulsive personality, obesity, and cancer metastasis.
—Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2025
Finally, as ever, the potential for rash, impulsive decisions with disastrous long-term consequences is never out of mind with this franchise.
—John Hollinger, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impulsive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impulsive
Adjective
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In 2020, during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, many people had a deeply emotional, intensely personal, and perhaps somewhat obsessive relationship with a macroscope.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Including this gossipy memoir for the truly obsessive aesthetes.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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With a roster that includes Margot Robbie, Miles Teller and Brooke Shields, Ullman says tariff anxiety shoehorned into an already volatile market and tense political climate has pushed clients to be far more conservative.—
Trey Williams,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Oct. 2025
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Gold has seen historic gains in 2025, its more-than-50% surge surpassing previous volatile periods such as after the September 11 attacks, the 2008 financial crisis or even the Covid-19 pandemic.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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DeSalvo’s arrest was not the result of a direct link to the Boston Strangler murders — but rather a case of his own compulsive criminal behavior catching up with him.—
Jane LaCroix,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
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And, yes, this compulsive fabulist did in fact embezzle campaign funds from his own donors to fund a lavish lifestyle, did commit identity theft and did fraudulently collect pandemic unemployment benefits.—
St. Louis Post-Dispatch,
Twin Cities,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Timothy Simons portrays Noah’s eccentric older brother, Sasha, who’s married to Esther Roklov (Jackie Tohn) and forms an unlikely friendship with Morgan.—
Skyler Trepel,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
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The original series followed an eccentric American family with four sons, including gifted genius Malcolm (Muniz) and brothers Francis (Masterson), Reese (Berfield) and Dewey (Erik Per Sullivan), led by parents Hal (Bryan Cranston) and Lois (Jane Kaczmarek).—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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These mutations can be spontaneous, but the paternal age of a sperm donor can also be a factor.—
Chelsea Bailey,
CNN Money,
25 Oct. 2025
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The piece signals transformation, but the spontaneous laugh turns luxury into connection; by the red-gown reveal, the necklace reads less like a trophy and more like a charm that’s worked.—
Lilah Ramzi,
Vogue,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Miguel kick-started his career with his adventurous 2012 debut, Kaleidoscope Dream, an LP that mixed rock, soul, and psychedelia into a freewheeling sound he’s been nuancing ever since, often in music that’s taken on a moodier, more anxious tone.—
Jon Dolan,
Rolling Stone,
24 Oct. 2025
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However, when Morgan runs into an obstacle in breaking up with him, a moody Joanne tells him to just marry him anyway.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The unions have asked the court to declare that both OMB and OPM have exceeded their statutory authority and acted in an arbitrary and capricious manner, and to invalidate any actions that may come from the memos and guidance issued.—
Franco Ordoñez,
NPR,
2 Oct. 2025
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First, few outdoor sports are as capricious in terms of conditions as surfing.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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As with many of Burton's best films, the real magic is the nuggets of human profundity hidden within the bleak imagery and whimsical comedy.—
Chris Snellgrove,
Entertainment Weekly,
24 Oct. 2025
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The picture book is both written and illustrated by Knightley, 40, who tells a whimsical story about a young girl that wishes her new baby sister would be carried away by birds.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Impulsive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impulsive. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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