1
[ adjective ] determined by chance or impulse or whim rather than by necessity or reason

Examples

"a capricious refusal" "authoritarian rulers are frequently capricious" "the victim of whimsical persecutions"

Related terms

arbitrary

2
[ adjective ] having the power of driving or impelling

Synonyms

driving

Examples

"a driving personal ambition" "the driving force was his innate enthusiasm" "an impulsive force"

Related terms

dynamic

3
[ adjective ] without forethought

Examples

"letting him borrow her car was an impulsive act that she immediately regretted"

Related terms

unpremeditated

4
[ adjective ] proceeding from natural feeling or impulse without external stimulus

Synonyms

unprompted

Examples

"an impulsive gesture of affection"

Related terms

spontaneous

5
[ adjective ] characterized by undue haste and lack of thought or deliberation

Examples

"a hotheaded decision" "liable to such impulsive acts as hugging strangers" "an impetuous display of spending and gambling" "madcap escapades" (`brainish' is archaic)

Related terms

archaism incautious

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