impetuous
- of, relating to, or characterized by sudden or rash action, emotion, etc.; impulsive: an impetuous decision; an impetuous person.
- having great impetus; moving with great force; violent: the impetuous winds.
Origin of impetuous
Synonyms for impetuous
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comAntonyms for impetuous
Related Words for impetuous
ardent, impulsive, abrupt, eager, fervid, fierce, furious, hasty, headlong, hurried, impassioned, passionate, precipitate, precipitous, rash, restive, rushing, spontaneous, sudden, swiftExamples from the Web for impetuous
Contemporary Examples of impetuous
The old Kaiser Franz Joseph, faithful and hardworking, was the obverse of the feckless and impetuous German kaiser.
Zakir is a fearless and impetuous fighter, a former Guantanamo prisoner who earned a reputation for brutality on the battlefield.
Referring to his numerous divorces, he writes, "I was young, impetuous, and lonely."
Historical Examples of impetuous
"It is a great deal worse to drive without her," said the impetuous lady.
MalboneThomas Wentworth Higginson
Then, indeed, she had burst upon him with an impetuous despair that had alarmed him.
MalboneThomas Wentworth Higginson
At the impetuous outflinging of her hands, the floor was strewn with pink petals.
The Bacillus of BeautyHarriet Stark
He was an impetuous leader; but he was skilful too; he never lost his head.
The Boy Life of NapoleonEugenie Foa
Another minute, and impetuous Tom would have burst the window in.
The ChanningsMrs. Henry Wood
impetuous
- liable to act without consideration; rash; impulsive
- resulting from or characterized by rashness or haste
- poetic moving with great force or violence; rushingthe impetuous stream hurtled down the valley
Word Origin for impetuous
Word Origin and History for impetuous
late 14c., "hot-tempered, fierce," from Old French impetuos (13c.) and directly from Late Latin impetuosus "impetuous, violent," from Latin impetus "attack" (see impetus). Related: Impetuously; impetuousness.