impetuous

[ im-pech-oo-uhs ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characterized by sudden or rash action, emotion, etc.; impulsive:

   an impetuous decision; an impetuous person.

   Synonyms: headlong, eager

   Antonyms: careful, planned

2. having great impetus; moving with great force; violent:

   the impetuous winds.

impetuous

/ ɪmˈpɛtjʊəs; ɪmˌpɛtjʊˈɒsɪtɪ /

adjective

1. liable to act without consideration; rash; impulsive
2. resulting from or characterized by rashness or haste
3. poetic.
   moving with great force or violence; rushing

   the impetuous stream hurtled down the valley

Derived Forms

• imˈpetuously, adverb
• imˈpetuousness, noun

Other Words From

• im·petu·ous·ly adverb
• im·petu·ous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of impetuous¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin impetuōsus, equivalent to Latin impetu(s) “an attack” + -ōsus adjective suffix; impetus, -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of impetuous¹

C14: from Late Latin impetuōsus violent; see impetus

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

“And the parents are scratching their heads trying to figure out what happened, and when that child becomes impetuous and oblivious to discipline and becomes destructive and violent and the school doesn’t want the kid in a regular class.”

From Los Angeles Times

He describes himself as “the head Oompa Loompa” to George’s Wonka; in the “King Lear” metaphor he kicks around with Brandi, he’s hopefully Cordelia, whose imperious, impetuous father finally recognizes his honest child’s worth.

From Los Angeles Times

Worse, from a political standpoint, the off-color episode raised doubts about Boebert’s judgment and impetuous nature, and badly undermined her image as a family-minded conservative and devout Christian.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s one thing to witness the former president’s impetuous behavior firsthand; it’s another to read or hear about it in media accounts filed from the courtroom: His eyes were “closing for extended periods” during jury selection last week.

From Los Angeles Times

The club identifies, correctly, as a titan, and — under Pérez’s stewardship, in particular — it has taken great pride in living the values associated with the classical definition of that term: impetuous, impulsive, irascible.

From New York Times

Related Words

• ardent
• impulsive