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

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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

New York Jets League perception: This is seen as the toughest job because of an impulsive owner (Woody Johnson) and an unforgiving, relentless media market.

— Mike Sando, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025
Don’t make impulsive financial decisions during this transit — take a moment to reflect on your long-term goals and whether your resources support them.

— Valerie Mesa, People.com, 15 Jan. 2025