imprudence

noun

im·​pru·​dence (ˌ)im-ˈprü-dᵊn(t)s How to pronounce imprudence (audio)
1
: the quality or state of being imprudent
2
: an imprudent act

Examples of imprudence in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web With investors now fretting about the timing and pace of a further tightening in U.S. monetary policy, Turkey is paying a price for its financial imprudence. Nicholas Spiro, Foreign Affairs, 14 Oct. 2014 The 2008 banking bailout protected many of the executives whose manifest imprudence created the housing crash that precipitated the financial crisis. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2023 Yet for all the cut corners and dramatic hyperbole, Bogart does at least honor his father by capturing how his spirit of fast-and-loose ebullient imprudence played out in business terms. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 2 Apr. 2023 No one lectured her on the imprudence of wielding a military-style weapon in campaign ads. Robert Draper, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2022 While unconventional, DeChambeau’s approach is not borne of carelessness or imprudence. Bill Pennington, New York Times, 18 Sep. 2020 A decade ago, Citigroup was in no position to warn about imprudence. Erik Schatzker, Bloomberg.com, 29 May 2020 Claims of juror imprudence and calls for a mistrial have swirled during and after Stone's trial. Spencer Neale, Washington Examiner, 25 Feb. 2020 Johnson’s imprudence has too often been explained or excused as a kind of perpetual boyishness. Amy Davidson Sorkin, The New Yorker, 8 July 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'imprudence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of imprudence was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near imprudence

Cite this Entry

“Imprudence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imprudence. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

imprudence

noun
im·​pru·​dence (ˈ)im-ˈprüd-ᵊn(t)s How to pronounce imprudence (audio)
: the quality or state of being imprudent

More from Merriam-Webster on imprudence

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!