impetuous
Acting without thinking
Impetuous describes acting quickly without thought or care for consequences—driven by emotion or impulse rather than deliberation.
An impetuous decision is made rashly; an impetuous person tends toward such decisions habitually.
The word carries a sense of passionate energy, sometimes admirable in its boldness, often regrettable in its haste: In an impetuous moment, she quit her job.
Recklessly bold
- heedlessCareless of consequences
- incautiousCarelessly unguarded
- rashHeedless or skin irritation
- daredevilReckless risk-taker
hotheaded · overbold · harum-scarum · madcap · wild · devil-may-care · brash · audacious
Headlong and reckless
- headlongHastily and recklessly
- breakneckRecklessly high speed
- rushedDone with excessive speed
- hurriedDone too quickly
swift · sudden · abrupt · quick · speedy · brisk · snap · whirlwind
Intensely hot or passionate
- ardentIntensely enthusiastic or devoted
- ferventIntensely and sincerely felt
- vehementIntensely forceful in feeling
- intenseExtreme in degree
heated · emotional · excitable · hotheaded · tempestuous · volcanic · explosive · spirited
Done without advance planning
- unpremeditatedWithout advance planning
- snapSudden sharp sound
- knee-jerkInstinctive and unconsidered
- instinctiveArising without conscious thought
unplanned · impromptu · whimsical · capricious · mercurial · volatile · erratic · unpredictable
Intentionally unyielding
- obstinateFirmly refusing to yield
- stubbornRefusing to change course
- bullheadedStubbornly refusing to yield
- pigheadedStubbornly refusing to yield
unruly · ungovernable · intractable · self-willed · unbridled · unchecked · unrestrained · wayward
foolhardy
Recklessly bold
- heedlessCareless of consequences
- incautiousCarelessly unguarded
- rashHeedless or skin irritation
daredevil · hotheaded · overbold · harum-scarum · madcap · wild · devil-may-care · brash · audacious · careless
precipitate
Headlong and reckless
hurried · swift · sudden · abrupt · quick · speedy · brisk · snap · whirlwind · slapdash
fiery
Intensely hot or passionate
- ardentIntensely enthusiastic or devoted
- ferventIntensely and sincerely felt
- vehementIntensely forceful in feeling
intense · heated · emotional · excitable · hotheaded · tempestuous · volcanic · explosive · spirited · impassioned
spur-of-the-moment
Done without advance planning
- unpremeditatedWithout advance planning
- snapSudden sharp sound
- knee-jerkInstinctive and unconsidered
instinctive · unplanned · impromptu · whimsical · capricious · mercurial · volatile · erratic · unpredictable · reflexive
willful
Intentionally unyielding
- obstinateFirmly refusing to yield
- stubbornRefusing to change course
- bullheadedStubbornly refusing to yield
pigheaded · unruly · ungovernable · intractable · self-willed · unbridled · unchecked · unrestrained · wayward · defiant
impetuousdeliberate
Consciously chosen, not accidental
cautious · careful · circumspect · considered · prudent
impetuouscalm
Free from agitation
composed · cool-headed · reflective · placid · even-tempered