IMPETUOUS Synonyms: 119 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

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 music sweeps us up in the queasy thrill of revolt, but also in the heat and momentum of an impetuous romance. —

Justin Chang, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025 The blast radius of Carl Rinsch‘s extravagant spending habits and Netflix‘s impetuous handing out of millions in the Golden Age of Streaming now has the feds footing the bills. —

Dominic Patten, Deadline, 12 Aug. 2025 These are not the Mets of yesteryear, when the team was run in impulsive and impetuous fashion. —

Jerry Beach, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025 The dynamic changes from drag dialogue to an aging aristocrat-wannabe and her impetuous male ingenue. —

Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 10 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for impetuous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impetuous

Adjective

Just Friends By Haley Pham Blair and Declan were once inseparable best friends whose brief, impulsive romance ended in heartbreak and silence after one shattering moment.

— Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 21 Feb. 2026
After getting two appointments right (Steve Cooper and Nuno Espirito Santo), Marinakis has reverted to type, with impulsive and erratic decision-making having undermined Forest’s campaign from the start.

— Oliver Kay, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2026