different between impetuous vs imperious

English

Etymology

From Middle English impetuous, from Old French impetueux, from Late Latin impetu?sus (“violent”), from Latin impetus (“attack, violence”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /im?p?t?u?s/

Adjective

impetuous (comparative more impetuous, superlative most impetuous)

1. Making arbitrary decisions, especially in an impulsive and forceful manner.
   • 1880, John Weeks Moore, Complete Encyclopaedia of Music, "Beethoven, Louis Van":

     But it was natural, that the impetuous, restless young artist should incline more to excess of strength than of delicacy in his playing.

2. Characterized by sudden violence or vehemence.
   • 1794, Ann Radcliffe, The Mysteries of Udolpho, vol. II, chapter I:

     He stands, and views in the faint rays
     Far, far below, the torrent's rising surge,
     And listens to the wild impetuous roar

   • 1917 rev. 1925, Ezra Pound, "Canto I"

     Unsheathed the narrow sword,

     I sat to keep off the impetuous impotent dead ...

Synonyms

• impulsive
• hasty
• rash
• hotheaded

Derived terms

• impetuously
• impetuousness

Translations

English

Etymology

From Latin imperi?sus (“mighty, powerful”), from imperium (“command, authority, power”)

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?m?p???i.?s/
• (US) IPA^(key): /?m?p??i.?s/
• Rhymes: -??ri?s

Adjective

imperious (not comparable)

1. Domineering, arrogant, or overbearing.
   • 1866 – Fyodor Dostoyevsky, The Gambler, translated by C. J. Hogarth

     ...she glanced about her in an imperious, challenging sort of way, with looks and gestures that clearly were unstudied.

2. Urgent.
   • 1891 – Ambrose Bierce, An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge

     Circumstances of an imperious nature, which it is unnecessary to relate here, had prevented him from taking service with that gallant army which had fought the disastrous campaigns ending with the fall of Corinth.

3. (obsolete) Imperial or regal.
   • 1899 – Stephen Crane, The Angel Child, Whilomville Stories

     She was quick, beautiful, imperious, while he was quiet, slow, and misty.

Synonyms

• (domineering): authoritarian, bossy, dictatorial, domineering, overbearing

Related terms

Translations