impatient

adjective

im·​pa·​tient (ˌ)im-ˈpā-shənt How to pronounce impatient (audio)
Synonyms of impatient
1
a
: not patient : restless or short of temper especially under irritation, delay, or opposition
grew impatient waiting for their friends
b
: intolerant sense 1
impatient of delay
2
: prompted or marked by impatience
an impatient reply
3
: eagerly desirous : anxious
impatient to get home
impatiently adverb

Synonyms of impatient

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Examples of impatient in a Sentence

After months of delays, customers are becoming impatient. Customers have grown impatient with the repeated delays. “Aren't you ready yet?” “Don't be so impatient. There's no need to hurry.” She was impatient to leave.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Dome-eyed and impatient, the herd was already assembled at the fenceline. — Literary Hub, 22 June 2026 Police said the incident happened when Connolly grew impatient as Lawren was not leaving the room quickly enough. — Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 26 June 2026 Partners and close friends could be more outspoken, impatient or argumentative, forcing important issues to the forefront. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026 Fans, perhaps impatient for something to justify sitting through the sweltering 90-degree heat, started doing the wave around the 18-minute mark. — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for impatient

Word History

Etymology

Middle English impacient, from Anglo-French impacient, from Latin impatient-, impatiens, from in- + patient-, patiens patient

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of impatient was in the 14th century

Rhymes for impatient

See All Rhymes for impatient

Browse Nearby Words

impatiens
impatient
impatronize
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Cite this Entry

“Impatient.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impatient. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

impatient

adjective
im·​pa·​tient (ˈ)im-ˈpā-shənt How to pronounce impatient (audio)
1
: not patient
an impatient disposition
2
: showing or coming from impatience
an impatient answer
3
: restless and eager
impatient to get going
impatiently adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on impatient

Nglish: Translation of impatient for Spanish Speakers

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