impetuous

[ im-pech-oo-uhs ]

See synonyms for: impetuous impetuously impetuousness on Thesaurus.com

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

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 for impetuous

1	eager, headlong

See synonyms for impetuous on Thesaurus.com

Opposites for impetuous

1	planned, careful

See antonyms for impetuous on Thesaurus.com

Other words from impetuous

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

Words that may be confused with impetuous

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use impetuous in a sentence

Hilda impetuously turned her head; their glances met for an instant, in suspicion, challenge, animosity.
Hilda Lessways | Arnold Bennett
He came perilously near to saying impetuously a hundred things he had determined that he must not say.
The Wave | Algernon Blackwood
Then dawn flung itself impetuously across the hills, and the naked rim of the canyon took form in a shifting whirl of smoke.
Raw Gold | Bertrand W. Sinclair
Seton prepared to take his leave, but Gray impetuously thrust him back, immediately turning again to his cousin.
Dope | Sax Rohmer
He spoke impetuously as if begging her to remember, and therefore throw the weight of her expectation in with his.
Country Neighbors | Alice Brown

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; rushing: the impetuous stream hurtled down the valley

Origin of impetuous

C14: from Late Latin impetuōsus violent; see impetus

Derived forms of impetuous

impetuously, adverb
impetuousness or impetuosity (ɪmˌpɛtjʊˈɒsɪtɪ), noun

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

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