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Impatient vs Impulsive - What's the difference?

impatient | impulsive |

As adjectives the difference between impatient and impulsive

is that impatient is restless and intolerant of delays while impulsive is having the power of driving or impelling; giving an impulse; moving; impellent.

As a noun impulsive is

that which impels or gives an impulse; an impelling agent.

impatient

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • restless and intolerant of delays
  • * Addison
    • The impatient man will not give himself time to be informed of the matter that lies before him.
  • anxious and eager, especially to begin something
  • (obsolete) Not to be borne; unendurable.
    • (Spenser)
  • Prompted by, or exhibiting, impatience.
    • impatient speeches or replies
  • * 1594 , , III. ii. 287:
    • What, will you tear / Impatient answers from my gentle tongue?

    Derived terms

    * impatiently

    impulsive

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Having the power of driving or impelling; giving an impulse; moving; impellent.
  • * Prior
    • Poor men! poor papers! We and they / Do some impulsive force obey.
  • Actuated by impulse or by transient feelings; inclined to make rapid decisions without due consideration.
  • * Longfellow
    • my heart, impulsive and wayward
  • (mechanics) Acting momentarily, or by impulse; not continuous – said of forces.

    • Related terms

    * impulse * impulsion * impulsively * impulsiveness * impulsor

    References

    * *

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • That which impels or gives an impulse; an impelling agent.
  • One whose behaviour or personality is characterized by being impulsive.
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