IMPETUOUS Synonyms: 120 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

impetuous

adjective

Definition of impetuous next

as in impulsive

acting or done quickly and without thought; controlled by emotion rather than thought He's always been an impetuous young man, rushing into things without asking questions first. made an impetuous decision

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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

Examples 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 impetuous title Evil Does Not Exist rings false. —

Armond White, National Review, 8 May 2024 Her impetuous plan to sink a German gunboat provides a strong narrative hook that propels the two lovebirds into unexpectedly heroic roles. —

Danny Horn, EW.com, 9 Apr. 2024 In comparison to the impetuous, error-prone Tepper, Chargers owner Dean Spanos and family come off as stable football geniuses. —

Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2024 Instead, its actions have been impetuous and its rewards far from assured. —

Ali Vaez, Foreign Affairs, 25 Jan. 2024 See all Example Sentences for impetuous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impetuous

Adjective

Both are forces of nature — Bug in an impulsive sense and Bird in a more literal manner that hints of something otherworldly about his existence.

Alison Willmore, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024
The dread of impulsive and cataclysmic decisions in a second Trump term and thousands of federal appointments based on fealty and ideology rather than competence is met on the other side by fears that Vice President Harris won’t make meaningful personnel changes or any new or different decisions.

Ryan Craig, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024