impatient

[ im-pey-shuhnt ]

adjective

1. not patient; not accepting delay, opposition, pain, etc., with calm or patience.

   Synonyms: abrupt, brusque, curt, hot, violent, fretful, testy, irritable, unquiet, uneasy

   Antonyms: calm

2. indicating lack of patience:

   an impatient answer.

   Synonyms: abrupt, brusque, curt, hot, violent, fretful, testy, irritable

3. restless in desire or expectation; eagerly desirous.

   Synonyms: hasty, sudden, precipitate, impetuous

impatient

/ ɪmˈpeɪʃənt /

adjective

1. lacking patience; easily irritated at delay, opposition, etc
2. exhibiting lack of patience

   an impatient retort

3. postpositivefoll byof intolerant (of) or indignant (at)

   impatient of indecision

4. postpositiveoften foll byfor restlessly eager (for something or to do something)

Derived Forms

• imˈpatiently, adverb

Other Words From

• im·patient·ly adverb
• im·patient·ness noun
• unim·patient adjective
• unim·patient·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of impatient¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English impacient, from Latin impatient-, stem of impatiēns “not enduring, not tolerating”; equivalent to im- ² + patient

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. impatient of, intolerant of:

   impatient of any interruptions.

Example Sentences

In the article, campaign sources explain that Trump's newfound discipline unraveled as he succumbed to agitation over his campaign's cautious approach, advice from impatient allies like Corey Lewandowski and the aggravating itch of his natural impulses.

From Salon

But Tony remained wary of leaving his own “turf” and grew impatient and angry when our colleague, still posing as a potential migrant, declined to follow him into the forest.

From BBC

Harris largely echoed Obama's comments, and told young Generation Z voters she understands why they might be "impatient" for change.

From BBC

But even the most impatient of her admirers would have to admit that this sly and deep-thinking R&B singer — whose 2019 “When I Get Home” made countless critic’s lists and spawned a short film set in her hometown of Houston — has kept busy over the past half-decade.

From Los Angeles Times

On “Truth or Dare,” she roasts a former partner, lamenting that they “Can’t handle what I am now / You’re a fan now and I’m not what I was … When they ask you questions about me, tell ‘em how / We could’ve gone places, but you were too impatient.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• anxious
• eager
• irritable
• keen
• restless
• testy
• thirsty