Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Acting or done without forethought: Describes actions, decisions, or behaviors that are sudden and result from spontaneous urges or emotions rather than careful planning or consideration.
   • Driven by or resulting from a sudden inner urge: Characterizes a person or their actions as being motivated by immediate feelings or desires.
   • (Technical) Relating to or having the nature of an impulse: In physics or engineering, pertaining to a force that is applied suddenly and briefly.

Usage and Examples

• Describing a person's character:
  • She is an impulsive shopper, often buying things she doesn't need.
  • His impulsive nature sometimes gets him into trouble.
• Describing a specific action or decision:
  • Making such a large purchase was an impulsive decision.
  • He regretted his impulsive remark as soon as he said it.
• In a technical context:
  • The device measures the impulsive force of the impact.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• "Impulsive behavior": A pattern of acting on sudden desires without considering consequences, often discussed in psychology.
  • The therapist helped him manage his impulsive behavior.
• "On an impulse" / "On impulse": A common adverbial phrase related to being impulsive.
  • She bought the dress on impulse.

Variants and Related Words

• Impulsively (adverb): In an impulsive manner.
  • He acted impulsively.
• Impulsiveness (noun): The quality of being impulsive.
  • His impulsiveness is both a strength and a weakness.
• Impulse (noun): A sudden strong and unreflective urge or desire to act.
  • He felt an impulse to call her.

Synonyms

• Spontaneous: Performed or occurring as a result of a sudden inner impulse without premeditation. (Often has a more positive connotation than ).
• Impetuous: Acting or done quickly and without thought or care. (Similar to but can imply rashness).
• Hasty: Done with excessive speed or urgency; hurried. (Emphasizes speed over thought).
• Capricious: Given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior. (Emphasizes unpredictability).

Antonyms

• Deliberate: Done consciously and intentionally.
• Cautious: Careful to avoid potential problems or dangers.
• Premeditated: Planned or considered beforehand.

Idioms and Common Phrases

• "Impulsive buying/spending": The act of making unplanned purchases.
  • Stores place candy near the checkout to encourage impulsive buying.
• While not a phrasal verb, the adjective is frequently used in the construction "to be impulsive" or "to act impulsively."

Adjective

1. characterized by undue haste and lack of thought or deliberation; (`brainish' is archaic)
   • a hotheaded decision
   • liable to such impulsive acts as hugging strangers
   • an impetuous display of spending and gambling
   • madcap escapades
2. determined by chance or impulse or whim rather than by necessity or reason
   • a capricious refusal
   • authoritarian rulers are frequently capricious
   • the victim of whimsical persecutions
3. having the power of driving or impelling
   • a driving personal ambition
   • the driving force was his innate enthusiasm
   • an impulsive force
4. without forethought
   • letting him borrow her car was an impulsive act that she immediately regretted
5. proceeding from natural feeling or impulse without external stimulus
   • an impulsive gesture of affection