impetuous

[im-pech-oo-uhs]

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adjective

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

1350–1400; Middle English < Anglo-French < Late Latin impetuōsus, equivalent to Latin impetu(s) impetus + -ōsus -ous

Related formsim·pet·u·ous·ly, adverbim·pet·u·ous·ness, noun

Can be confusedcompulsive impulsive impetuous (see synonym study at the current entry)

Synonyms for impetuous

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1. eager, headlong. 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.

Antonyms for impetuous

1. planned, careful.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for impetuously

impulsively, carelessly, rashly, heedlessly

Examples from the Web for impetuously

Historical Examples of impetuously

She presses it to her lips, and impetuously breaks for the shore!
Punchinello, Vol. 1, No. 8, May 21, 1870
Various
He paused for a moment, and then, impetuously, he turned to Roger.
Changing Winds
St. John G. Ervine
"I 'll not believe a word of it, Bagenal," said the Knight, impetuously.
The Knight Of Gwynne, Vol. I (of II)
Charles James Lever
"Then there is not a moment to be lost," cried the Abb, impetuously.
The Daltons, Volume II (of II)
Charles James Lever
Roland, ever greedy for the post of danger, impetuously asked that he might be chosen.
A Book of Myths
Jean Lang

British Dictionary definitions for impetuously

impetuous

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 Formsimpetuously, 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

Word Origin and History for impetuously

impetuous

adj.

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.