impatience

noun

im·​pa·​tience (ˌ)im-ˈpā-shən(t)s How to pronounce impatience (audio)
: the quality or state of being impatient

Examples of impatience in a Sentence

the child's impatience for Christmas morning is engaging
Recent Examples on the Web City Hall, in turn, has expressed impatience that the program has rolled out slowly. James Barron, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2024 Much of this culture was driven by non-traditional venture investors with billions to burn, but FOMO and impatience spread throughout the sector. Kjartan Rist, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024 Princeton’s Bill Bradley, who happened to be on the sideline talking to his coach, watched with a curiosity that evolved toward impatience as five minutes went by. John McPhee, The New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2023 This will bring the polite impatience of the group to bear on the speaker, as well as providing opportunities to start a side conversation or slip away. Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 15 Feb. 2024 There was no furrow in his brow, no impatience in his demeanor. Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 12 Feb. 2024 My art doesn’t actually express impatience with the world. Jonathan Landreth, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2024 Of course, impatience to find shelter might have restricted opportunity to recognize the scenic beauty of a midwinter day of vivid and almost enchanted brightness. Martin Weil, Washington Post, 21 Jan. 2024 Warning of a long conflict, the Israeli statements exposed a growing dissonance between the domestic perception of the timing and goals of the war and increasing international impatience in the face of a deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Isabel Kershner, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'impatience.' 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

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of impatience was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near impatience

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

impatience

noun
im·​pa·​tience (ˈ)im-ˈpā-shən(t)s How to pronounce impatience (audio)
1
: lack of patience
2
: restless or eager desire

More from Merriam-Webster on impatience

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