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adj

impetuous

eem-PEHT-shoo-uhs
adj
1
Acting suddenly and without careful thought, often forcefully.
"His impetuous decision to quit cost him the promotion."
"As a young man he was impetuous and quick to anger."

How to Use Impetuous

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishActing on impulse, without stopping to think things through.

Easily confused with
Common pairings
impetuous behaviour an impetuous youth

Word Forms

more impetuous comparative, most impetuous superlative

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His _____ decision to quit cost him the promotion.

Etymology

From Late Latin impetuosus ("violent"), from Latin impetus ("attack, force").

Related Words

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