Synonyms of impetuous

impetuous

adjective

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

• impulsive
• adventurous
• fearless
• reckless
• imprudent
• thoughtless
• hotheaded
• brazen
• heedless
• foolhardy
• courageous
• incautious
• rash
• overconfident
• brash
• brave
• madcap
• dauntless
• heroical
• intrepid
• daredevil
• valiant
• undaunted
• valorous
• heroic
• gallant
• spirited
• gutsy
• stouthearted
• daring
• wild
• overbold
• spunky
• encouraged
• bold
• insane
• stalwart
• mettlesome
• venturous
• adventuresome
• venturesome
• lionhearted
• audacious
• foolish
• dashing
• gutty
• stout
• doughty
• hardy
• hasty
• mad
• undauntable
• headlong
• greathearted
• nutty
• crazy
• unafraid
• precipitate
• half-witted
• reassured
• emboldened
• comforted
• heartened

Dissimilar Words

• cautious
• careful
• prudent
• timid
• unadventurous
• heedful
• diffident
• anxious
• shy
• nervous
• apprehensive
• scary
• mousy
• skittish
• mousey
• afraid
• frightened
• agitated
• startled
• panicked
• disturbed
• terrified
• perturbed
• unnerved
• scared
• timorous
• yellow
• fearful
• disconcerted
• coward
• disquieted
• cowardly
• horrified
• spooked
• shocked
• pusillanimous
• craven
• unheroic
• ungallant
• dastardly
• spiritless
• nerveless
• spineless
• gutless
• panic-stricken
• fainthearted
• chicken
• terrorized
• poor-spirited
• uncourageous
• poltroon
• chickenhearted
• milk-livered
• lily-livered
• weakhearted
• chicken-livered

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

Recent Examples of impetuous

That's what sets a prudent decision apart from an impetuous one. —Vipin Thomas, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025

Raiff’s impetuous outbursts serve his babyish college kid well, and the writer-director’s honest dialogue and empathetic perspective are even more valuable. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 26 Jan. 2025

Sheinbaum must walk a fine line between her constituents, who don’t want to see Mexico humiliated — or go broke — and the unpredictable, impetuous Trump. —Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024

There’s never been a more divisive, vindictive, cruel, illiterate, impetuous, rude bully than the former president. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 12 Oct. 2024

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!