different between impetuous vs irrepressible

English

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

impetuous (comparative more impetuous, superlative most impetuous)

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.
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 ...

ir- +? repressible

irrepressible (not generally comparable, comparative more irrepressible, superlative most irrepressible)

Not containable or controllable.
- 1858, Charles Dickens, Nicholas Nickleby, ch. 15:
  [...] here the two friends burst into a variety of giggles, and glanced from time to time, over the tops of their pocket-handkerchiefs, at Nicholas, who from a state of unmixed astonishment, gradually fell into one of irrepressible laughter [...]
(of a person) Especially high-spirited, outspoken, or insistent.
- 1875, Wilkie Collins, The Law and the Lady, ch. 3:
  The irrepressible landlady gave the freest expression to her feelings.
- 1901, Frank Norris, The Octopus, Book II, Conclusion:
  "The irrepressible Yank is knocking at the doors of their temples and he will want to sell 'em carpet-sweepers for their harems."
- 1963 July 12, "People," Time:
  It was Paris' irrepressible High Fashion Doyenne Gabrielle ("Coco") Chanel, 80, so-soing this and high-hatting that, while Women's Wear Daily took notes.
- 2012 July 24, Mel Watkins, "Sherman Hemsley, ‘Jeffersons’ Star, Is Dead at 74," New York Times (retrieved 16 June 2013):
  High-strung and irrepressible, George Jefferson quickly became one of America’s most popular television characters, a high-energy, combative black man who backed down to no one.

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