impetuous
Adjective
Hard difficulty
What does “impetuous” mean?
adjective.acting or done quickly and without thought or care.
SAT Usage
this term often appears in passages about human behavior, decision-making, or the consequences of rash actions. It emphasizes a lack of consideration and the potential negative outcomes of acting impulsively, distinguishing it from similar words like "rash," which may imply recklessness but lacks the nuance of spontaneity and emotional drive.
Common Confusions
Impetuous implies acting quickly and with emotional drive, while rash usually suggests a thoughtless decision made without regard for possible consequences.
Example Sentences
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His impetuous decision to quit his job stunned his family.
Word Parts: How to Remember “impetuous”
Break “impetuous” into its parts: in- (into). Knowing roots like these helps you decode unfamiliar SAT vocabulary.
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Prefix:
in-into (Latin)