What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
impetuous
Example
His impetuous decision to quit his job without another one lined up left him in a difficult financial situation. [impetuous: adjective]
Example
She acted impetuously when she bought the expensive dress, not considering her budget. [impetuously: adverb]
impulsive
Example
He has an impulsive personality and often makes decisions without thinking them through. [impulsive: adjective]
Example
She impulsively booked a trip to Hawaii after seeing a travel ad online. [impulsively: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Impulsive is a more common word than impetuous in everyday language, and it covers a wider range of contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between impetuous and impulsive?
Both impetuous and impulsive are informal words, but impetuous may sound more formal due to its less frequent use and more negative connotation.
