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Definitions

impetuous

[im-pech-oo-uhs] / ɪmˈpɛtʃ u əs /
ADJECTIVE
acting without thinking
Synonyms
STRONGEST
ardent impulsive
WEAK
abrupt eager fervid fierce furious going off deep end hasty headlong hurried impassioned passionate precipitant precipitate precipitous rash restive rushing spontaneous spur-of-the-moment subitaneous sudden swift unbridled unexpected unplanned unpremeditated unreflecting unrestrained unthinking vehement violent
Antonyms
WEAK
calm cautious circumspect considerate reflective sensible thoughtful wise

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"When you come on and your team is losing it gives you that extra impetuous to try and change it."

From BBC • Mar. 11, 2026

"I am not an impetuous person. I think things through. I have the serenity not to lose it under tension and under pressure. I consult. I hear. And I am brave. I take risks."

From Barron's • Feb. 28, 2026

Dutiful Meg paradoxically longs for leisure and fashionable clothes; impetuous Jo yearns for literary fame; shy, music-loving Beth wishes only for everyone to be happy; artistic Amy craves admiration and status.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 14, 2025

Henry will come to regret it, of course, but he is an impetuous and paranoid narcissist, with little sense of history and even less vision.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 2, 2025

And he’s not being impetuous, thinking of marriage.

From "Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers" by Deborah Heiligman