impetuous

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin impetuōsus, equivalent to Latin impetu(s) “an attack” + -ōsus adjective suffix; see origin at impetus, -ous

synonym study for impetuous

1. Impetuous, impulsive both refer to persons who are hasty and precipitate in action, or to actions not preceded by thought. Impetuous suggests eagerness, violence, rashness: impetuous vivacity; impetuous desire; impetuous words. Impulsive emphasizes spontaneity and lack of reflection: an impulsive act of generosity.

OTHER WORDS FROM impetuous

im·pet·u·ous·ly, adverbim·pet·u·ous·ness, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH impetuous

impetuous , impulsive (see synonym study at the current entry)

Words nearby impetuous

impetigo herpetiformis, impetigo neonatorum, impetigo vulgaris, impetrate, impetuosity, impetuous, impetus, impf., imp. gal., Imphal, impi

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use impetuous in a sentence

The Spencers are a very hot headed, impetuous family with a lot of swashbuckling drama.
Tina Brown Breaks Down the Biggest Royal Family Revelations From Her New Book|Charlie Campbell / London|April 25, 2022|Time
According to the Madman Theory in international relations, a leader who is seen as impetuous, even unhinged, can coerce an adversary into concessions.
It’s Not Irrational to Party Like It’s 1999 - Issue 108: Change|Steven Pinker|November 17, 2021|Nautilus
In Lowery’s film, Gawain is young, impetuous, prone to carousing, and ashamed of how little of his life has been spent on bold and brave exploits.
The Green Knight is glorious and a little baffling. Let’s untangle it.|Alissa Wilkinson|July 30, 2021|Vox
You see where you were more impetuous, where you might have overreacted to certain things.
All Eyes on Anjelica Huston: The Legendary Actress on Love, Abuse, and Jack Nicholson|Alex Suskind|November 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The old Kaiser Franz Joseph, faithful and hardworking, was the obverse of the feckless and impetuous German kaiser.
Before the Fall: What Did the World Look Like in 1913?|Jacob Heilbrunn|June 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Zakir is a fearless and impetuous fighter, a former Guantanamo prisoner who earned a reputation for brutality on the battlefield.
Afghanistan: Will the Taliban Destroy Itself?|Sami Yousafzai|December 17, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Referring to his numerous divorces, he writes, "I was young, impetuous, and lonely."
The Daily Beast Recommends|The Daily Beast|May 19, 2009|DAILY BEAST
It was a kind of incredible performance, half on earth and half in the air: it rushed with such impetuous momentum.
The Wave|Algernon Blackwood
"You have been placed under arrest by order of the Ministry," replied Bézard, speaking in his quick, impetuous way.
The Doctor of Pimlico|William Le Queux
Oh, those Camford conversations—how impetuous, how interesting, how thoroughly hearty and unconventional they were!
Julian Home|Dean Frederic W. Farrar
A rush of impetuous words followed by the collapse of his father's form upon the pillow showed that the examination was over.
The Circular Study|Anna Katharine Green
It was an exciting moment as that great bulk came on, its tons of sodden wood backed by the impetuous forces of the torrent.
Gold-Seeking on the Dalton Trail|Arthur R. Thompson

British Dictionary definitions for impetuous

impetuous

/ (ɪmˈpɛtjʊəs) /

adjective

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

Derived forms of impetuous

impetuously, adverbimpetuousness or impetuosity (ɪmˌpɛtjʊˈɒsɪtɪ), noun

Word Origin for impetuous

C14: from Late Latin impetuōsus violent; see impetus

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

impetuous

OTHER WORDS FOR impetuous

OPPOSITES FOR impetuous

Origin of impetuous

synonym study for impetuous

OTHER WORDS FROM impetuous

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH impetuous

Words nearby impetuous

Words related to impetuous

How to use impetuous in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for impetuous

Derived forms of impetuous

Word Origin for impetuous