Imprudent: meaning, definitions and examples

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imprudent

 

[ɪmˈpruːdnt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

behavior

Not showing care for the consequences of an action; rash.

Synonyms

careless, foolhardy, heedless, reckless.

Examples of usage

  • It was imprudent of him to invest all his savings in such a risky venture.
  • Her imprudent decision to drive while intoxicated led to a serious accident.
Context #2 | Adjective

speech

Lacking discretion; incautious; rash.

Synonyms

indiscreet, injudicious, thoughtless, unwise.

Examples of usage

  • His imprudent remarks offended many people at the party.
  • It was imprudent of her to gossip about her colleagues.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'imprudentis', where 'in-' means 'not' and 'prudentis' means 'wise' or 'careful'.
  • It entered the English language in the early 17th century, highlighting a shift in how people viewed decision-making.
  • Related words include 'prudent', which means careful about one's actions and their potential results.

Psychology

  • Research shows that individuals who are imprudent often struggle with predicting future consequences of their actions.
  • Imprudent behavior is sometimes linked to impulsivity, where quick decisions are made without taking time to think.
  • Cognitive biases can play a role in imprudent decision-making, leading people to ignore certain risks.

Literature

  • Characters who display imprudent behavior often face significant challenges or downfall in stories, such as in Shakespeare's tragedies.
  • Fables and moral tales frequently feature imprudent characters to teach lessons about the importance of foresight and caution.
  • The notion of imprudence often reflects human flaws, making characters more relatable and their journeys more compelling.

Finance

  • Imprudent financial decisions can lead to significant debt or loss, serving as a cautionary tale for investors and consumers alike.
  • In economics, imprudent lending practices contributed to major financial crises, showing the real-world impacts of unwise decisions.
  • Prudent financial planning focuses on risk assessment, contrasting with more impulsive spending habits.

Pop Culture

  • Various films depict imprudent characters who often act without thinking, leading to comedic or dramatic consequences.
  • Reality TV often highlights imprudent choices, as contestants face unexpected outcomes from rash actions.
  • Social media culture can encourage imprudent behavior, where individuals post without considering the long-term effects of their online presence.

Translations

Translations of the word "imprudent" in other languages:

🇵🇹 imprudente

🇮🇳 अविवेकी

🇩🇪 unvorsichtig

🇮🇩 lalai

🇺🇦 необачний

🇵🇱 nieostrożny

🇯🇵 軽率な (けいそつな)

🇫🇷 imprudent

🇪🇸 imprudente

🇹🇷 düşüncesiz

🇰🇷 경솔한

🇸🇦 متهور

🇨🇿 neopatrný

🇸🇰 neopatrný

🇨🇳 轻率的 (qīngshuài de)

🇸🇮 nepremišljen

🇮🇸 óvitur

🇰🇿 абайсыз

🇬🇪 გაუფრთხილებელი

🇦🇿 ehtiyatsız

🇲🇽 imprudente

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,838, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.