intemperate

[ in-tem-per-it, -prit ]

See synonyms for: intemperate intemperateness on Thesaurus.com

adjective

given to or characterized by excessive or immoderate indulgence in alcoholic beverages.
immoderate in indulgence of appetite or passion.

not temperate; unrestrained; unbridled.
extreme in temperature, as climate.

Origin of intemperate

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English word from Latin word intemperātus.See in-³, temperate

Other words from intemperate

in·tem·per·ate·ly, adverb
in·tem·per·ate·ness, noun

Words Nearby intemperate

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use intemperate in a sentence

For that we have Dmitry Rogozin—an intemperate man in what demands to be a temperate business—to blame.
More Cosmic Saber-Rattling From Russia's Space Boss | Jeffrey Kluger | May 6, 2022 | Time
Nevertheless, some progressives who want action now are in favor of this option, ignoring the risk of intemperate use of power down the line.
Why the Filibuster Defenders' Ranks Are Shrinking | Philip Elliott | March 11, 2021 | Time
It means “them,” the 18- and 19-year-old volunteers who take on the brunt of our intemperate, accountability-free military policy.
The 1 Percent Army: Andrew Bacevich on How America Lost the Military | Phil Klay | September 16, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
His conduct is boorish and intemperate; his views are anachronistic and absurd; his moral authority is zilch.
Remove a Stain on the Supreme Court by Impeaching Justice Scalia | David R. Dow | December 14, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
But in so doing he appeared to be either forgetful of or intemperate towards a sizeable chunk of his own governing coalition.
Spare a Thought for Bibi’s Medievalists | Daniel Levy | September 28, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST

He is often intemperate in tone—Morris "heaps deceit upon deceit"—which almost always is a sign of a weak argument.
A Response to Daniel Levy | Benny Morris | April 17, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
Such intemperate exchanges will hardly count as edifying but they may, alas, be unavoidable.
Florida’s Nasty Battle Reflected Only Small Disagreements Between Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich | Michael Medved | February 1, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
But Griffith was not so intemperate as most squires; he could always mount the stairs to tea, and generally without staggering.
The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 17, No. 101, March, 1866 | Various
And yet the older artist's natural disposition was congenial to that of the younger one, only intemperate habits had vitiated it.
Frederick Chopin as a Man and Musician | Frederick Niecks
With my temper and some of my associations, intemperate profanity's been the easiest thing in the world to fall into.
Red Pepper Burns | Grace S. Richmond
Not so in the interior of the country, where the whites are remarkable for intemperate drinking.
Travels in Peru, on the Coast, in the Sierra, Across the Cordilleras and the Andes, into the Primeval Forests | J. J. von Tschudi
She expressed the most poignant anguish for having indulged such unjust suspicions and intemperate passions.
Tales And Novels, Volume 3 (of 10) | Maria Edgeworth

British Dictionary definitions for intemperate

intemperate

/ (ɪnˈtɛmpərɪt, -prɪt) /

adjective

consuming alcoholic drink habitually or to excess
indulging bodily appetites to excess; immoderate

unrestrained: intemperate rage
extreme or severe: an intemperate climate

Derived forms of intemperate

intemperance or intemperateness, noun
intemperately, adverb

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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