imprudence

[ im-prood-ns ]

noun

1. lack of wisdom or care in the management of practical or economic affairs:

   Your decisions demonstrate fiscal imprudence and shortsighted thinking.

2. lack of discretion or caution:

   The whistleblower learned of the scheme through the hiring executive's imprudence.

3. disregard for one’s own interests:

   His own imprudence and unreasonable conduct are what caused the second injury.

Word History and Origins

Origin of imprudence¹

First recorded in 1540–50; from Middle French, from Latin imprūdentia; in- ³( def ), prudence

Example Sentences

Critics say this "financial imprudence" has drained much of the country's economic resources and created unprecedented levels of debt that have crippled the economy.

From BBC

Prosecutor Laure Beccuau said investigators would seek to “determine whether or not there was failure to respect a rule or individual imprudence that led to the explosion.”

From Seattle Times

The 2008 banking bailout protected many of the executives whose manifest imprudence created the housing crash that precipitated the financial crisis.

From Los Angeles Times

“The events of these days show the imprudence of not having further diversified our energy sources and our suppliers in the last decades,” he said last week.

From New York Times

“The events of the last days show the imprudence of not having diversified our sources of energy and our providers in recent decades,” said Italian Premier Mario Draghi in parliament on Friday.

From Seattle Times