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IMPRUDENT
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I. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Lacking wise self-restraint
Example:
an imprudent remark
Classified under:
Similar:
indiscreet (lacking discretion; injudicious)
Derivation:
imprudence (a lack of caution in practical affairs)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Not prudent or wise
Example:
would be imprudent for a noneconomist to talk about the details of economic policy
Classified under:
Similar:
ill-considered; ill-judged; improvident; shortsighted (not given careful consideration)
injudicious (lacking or showing lack of judgment or discretion; unwise)
rash (imprudently incurring risk)
Also:
careless (marked by lack of attention or consideration or forethought or thoroughness; not careful)
improvident (not provident; not providing for the future)
foolish (devoid of good sense or judgment)
Antonym:
prudent (careful and sensible; marked by sound judgment)
Derivation:
imprudence (a lack of caution in practical affairs)
Context examples:
It was the natural result of the conduct of each party, and such as a very imprudent marriage almost always produces.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
“Oh, very imprudent indeed, Master Copperfield,” returned Uriah, sighing modestly.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
Anne had always thought such a style of intercourse highly imprudent; but she had ceased to endeavour to check it, from believing that, though there were on each side continual subjects of offence, neither family could now do without it.
(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)
But by an appeal to her affection for her mother, by representing the inconveniences which that indulgent mother must draw on herself, if (as would probably be the case) she consented to this increase of establishment, Marianne was shortly subdued; and she promised not to tempt her mother to such imprudent kindness by mentioning the offer, and to tell Willoughby when she saw him next, that it must be declined.
(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)
So imprudent a match on both sides!
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
A hasty and imprudent attachment may arise—but there is generally time to recover from it afterwards.
(Emma, by Jane Austen)
Her disposition was naturally easy and indolent, like Lady Bertram's; and a situation of similar affluence and do-nothingness would have been much more suited to her capacity than the exertions and self-denials of the one which her imprudent marriage had placed her in.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
So, Mr. Wickfield, said I, at last, who is worth five hundred of you—or me; for my life, I think, I could not have helped dividing that part of the sentence with an awkward jerk; has been imprudent, has he, Mr. Heep?
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
He was determined, at least, not to mar it by an imprudent marriage; and I know it was his belief (whether justly or not, of course I cannot decide), that your father and sister, in their civilities and invitations, were designing a match between the heir and the young lady, and it was impossible that such a match should have answered his ideas of wealth and independence.
(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)
Unaccountable, however, as the circumstances of his release might appear to the whole family, it was certain that Edward was free; and to what purpose that freedom would be employed was easily pre-determined by all;—for after experiencing the blessings of ONE imprudent engagement, contracted without his mother's consent, as he had already done for more than four years, nothing less could be expected of him in the failure of THAT, than the immediate contraction of another.
(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)
