impetuous

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective impetuous contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of impetuous are abrupt, headlong, precipitate, and sudden. While all these words mean "showing undue haste or unexpectedness," impetuous stresses extreme impatience or impulsiveness.

an impetuous lover proposing marriage

When would abrupt be a good substitute for impetuous?

While in some cases nearly identical to impetuous, abrupt stresses curtness and a lack of warning or ceremony.

an abrupt refusal

When is headlong a more appropriate choice than impetuous?

In some situations, the words headlong and impetuous are roughly equivalent. However, headlong stresses rashness and lack of forethought.

a headlong flight from arrest

When can precipitate be used instead of impetuous?

The meanings of precipitate and impetuous largely overlap; however, precipitate stresses lack of due deliberation and implies prematureness of action.

the army's precipitate withdrawal

When could sudden be used to replace impetuous?

While the synonyms sudden and impetuous are close in meaning, sudden stresses unexpectedness and sharpness or violence of action.

flew into a sudden rage

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of impetuous The main lesson of Outer Banks’ Season 4 premiere: A Pogue and his money are soon parted, especially when said Pogue has a boatload of insecurities and tends toward the impetuous. Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 10 Oct. 2024 Macron’s weakness for pursuing politically unpopular projects is an expression—understandable on its own terms, if at times impetuous and often misplaced—of the kingly imperative of never being passive, never seeming weak. Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 9 July 2024 And Beating 'The Sopranos' To The Idea The film, which starred an amazing Harvey Keitel as Charlie Cappa, a conflicted young gangster who tried to look out for his impetuous friend, was part of De Niro Con, a tribute to the Oscar-winning actor and co-founder of the Tribeca Festival. Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 15 June 2024 This is not the first time Musk has had to back-track an impetuous business decision. Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 13 May 2024 See All Example Sentences for impetuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impetuous
Adjective
  • The United States under the chaotic, impulsive leadership of President Donald Trump is abandoning its longstanding alliances with fellow democracies in favor of, at best, strategic ambivalence.
    David Axe, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
  • These are not the actions of a responsible superpower, but rather the impulsive demands of a declining hegemon that has lost its way.
    Matt Robison, Newsweek, 18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Plenty of tour operators offer adventurous journeys from women: Sisters Traveling Solo, which sold out its 2024 tours; Wild Women Expeditions, an operator with tours in 27 countries; and Adventure Women, founded in 1982.
    Sarah Buder, AFAR Media, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Often, adventurous children or adults help nature along by prodding the pods open, and blowing the seeds in the silk into the wind.
    Sheryl De Vore, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • True innovation requires fearless iteration and experimentation.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
  • The filmmaker-actor will portray a fearless inspector characterized as a devout follower of the Hindu God Ayyappa with zero tolerance for corruption.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 28 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Impetuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impetuous. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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