imprudent

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/ɪmˈpruːdənt/
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A lack of prudence or discretion, describing actions or attitudes that are unwise or indiscreet.

Examples

  • It would be imprudent to trust that rumor.
  • He made an imprudent comment during the interview.
  • It was imprudent to ignore the weather warning.
  • Sharing the address was imprudent.
  • The imprudent gossip spread quickly through the office.

Similar words

tactless
indiscreet
ill-mannered
inappropriate
reckless
ill-advised
offensive
foolhardy
thoughtless
hasty

Meanings

Lacking prudence or good judgment

adjective
everyday
neutral
Describing actions, decisions, or attitudes that are unwise and fail to consider likely consequences.

Examples

  • It was imprudent to ignore the weather warning.
  • Their imprudent investment led to losses.
  • Choosing to skip the safety check was imprudent.
  • It would be imprudent to trust that rumor.
  • The manager's imprudent hiring decision caused trouble.
  • Driving at high speed in fog is imprudent.

Similar words

Indiscreet or lacking discretion

adjective
social
neutral
Referring to behavior or speech that reveals private information or is inappropriate for the situation.

Examples

  • Her imprudent remark about the surprise ruined the party.
  • The journalist's imprudent question revealed confidential details.
  • He made an imprudent comment during the interview.
  • Sharing the address was imprudent.
  • The imprudent gossip spread quickly through the office.
  • It was imprudent to discuss the private matter in public.

Similar words

Etymology

From late Middle English imprudent, from Latin imprudent- ‘not foreseeing’, formed with the negative prefix in- ‘not’ + prudent- ‘wise, foreseeing’.

FAQ

What does imprudent mean?

Imprudent describes actions, decisions, or behavior that are unwise or that reveal private information in an unsuitable way.

What is the origin of imprudent?

Imprudent comes from late Middle English, derived from Latin imprudent- ‘not foreseeing’, built from the negative prefix in- ‘not’ plus prudent- ‘wise, foreseeing’.

How is imprudent different from reckless?

Reckless implies a disregard for danger, while imprudent focuses on a lack of foresight or discretion; a reckless act may be imprudent, but not all imprudent actions are reckless.

Can imprudent describe a person?

Imprudent is usually applied to actions or statements, but it can describe a person when the focus is on their habit of making unwise or indiscreet choices.

What are common mistakes when using imprudent?

A frequent error is placing imprudent after the noun (decision imprudent) instead of before it, and using the word for the wrong type of disclosure.

What are some synonyms for imprudent?

Synonyms include rash, reckless, ill‑advised, foolhardy, thoughtless, unwise, hasty, and careless.

What are antonyms for imprudent?

Antonyms are prudent, wise, and judicious.

How can I use imprudent in a sentence?

Example: It would be imprudent to ignore the safety warnings before the hike.

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