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
Shop Around In addition to building a space that’s layered and appealing, considering multiple stores is a reliable way to avoid making an impulsive purchase.
—
Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 27 Feb. 2025
Psychologists point to some common characteristics: problems communicating, impulsive behaviors, difficulty expressing emotions and an interest in fire paraphernalia.
—Laura Paddison, CNN, 3 Feb. 2025
The United States under the chaotic, impulsive leadership of President Donald Trump is abandoning its longstanding alliances with fellow democracies in favor of, at best, strategic ambivalence.
—David Axe, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
These are not the actions of a responsible superpower, but rather the impulsive demands of a declining hegemon that has lost its way.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impulsive
Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 27 Feb. 2025
Psychologists point to some common characteristics: problems communicating, impulsive behaviors, difficulty expressing emotions and an interest in fire paraphernalia.
—Laura Paddison, CNN, 3 Feb. 2025
The United States under the chaotic, impulsive leadership of President Donald Trump is abandoning its longstanding alliances with fellow democracies in favor of, at best, strategic ambivalence.
—David Axe, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
These are not the actions of a responsible superpower, but rather the impulsive demands of a declining hegemon that has lost its way.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impulsive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impulsive
Adjective
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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
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His masculinity, though less volatile, is as stunted as Stanley’s.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2025
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While many are penciling in lower stock values due to higher risks of a recession and elevated inflation due to a rising chance of a trade war, others say the volatile stock market needs some context.—
Medora Lee,
USA TODAY,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
And with conditions like OCD, suppressing anxiety can lead to compulsive behaviors—such as repeating certain phrases or avoiding specific people or places—in an attempt to neutralize fear, which often backfires and worsens it.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
13 Mar. 2025
-
Pets, also like humans, can form compulsive behaviors.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Its latest, Brown Flowers, has an eccentric collection of notes (Queen Anne’s lace!—
Jackie Fields,
People.com,
13 Mar. 2025
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The film is set in a dystopian future and follows a teenage girl who teams with an eccentric grifter and mysterious robot to find her brother.—
Julia Teti,
WWD,
13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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While the photo recreation may seem spontaneous, Evelyn told Newsweek that her mom was the real mastermind behind it.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
12 Mar. 2025
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Yellowstone Vacations tours are designed to allow for plenty of spontaneous wildlife stops, making each tour slightly different from the last.—
Shelby Knick,
Forbes,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Ornate brass sconces awaken the moody backsplash, while the neutral marble and wood vanity counter keeps the space from looking too stark or unapproachable. 43.—
Kathryn O'Shea-Evans,
Architectural Digest,
11 Mar. 2025
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Biophilic design and an emphasis on sustainability play a role in this shift, Wilder says the industry is seeing a rise in the popularity of natural, warm colors as well as hints at deep, moody colors found in natural landscapes.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The administration’s unpredictability regarding tariffs and trade policies, which is described as ‘capricious and uncertain bullying,’ poses significant challenges for businesses trying to make long-term workforce investments.—
Solange Charas,
Forbes,
14 Mar. 2025
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People were habituated to constant surveillance and capricious punishments.—
Sam Sacks,
Harper's Magazine,
2 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Delicate butterfly appliqués across the bust add a whimsical touch.—
Patricia Alfonso Tortolani,
Allure,
18 Mar. 2025
-
Her wispy, whimsical vocals hovered above glitchy pre-recorded montages of laughter, snippets of conversation, and glowing synth swells from a laptop to her right.—
Stephen Thomas Erlewine,
Rolling Stone,
15 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Impulsive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impulsive. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.
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