impatient

adjective

im·​pa·​tient (ˌ)im-ˈpā-shənt How to pronounce impatient (audio)
1
a
: not patient : restless or short of temper especially under irritation, delay, or opposition
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

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 As the Free Press reported last month, some union members were growing impatient with holding off on retirement to find out when GM would open up the bonus program. Jamie L. Lareau, Detroit Free Press, 7 Mar. 2024 But Washington is growing impatient with those arguments. Claire Parker, Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2024 Texas's running backs averaged 6.8 yards per carry in the Sugar Bowl against Washington, but had only 18 carries as the Longhorns seemed to get impatient early and then were scrambling to come from behind late. Ralph D. Russo, USA TODAY, 5 Jan. 2024 As soon as Neil Gupta's recent flight from Houston to Salt Lake City came to a stop at the gate, an impatient passenger jumped up and sprinted to the front, squeezing past the other passengers. Christopher Elliott, USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2024 These jobs were even more demanding during the pandemic due to high patient volume, long hours, uncomfortable PPE, and impatient patients. Web Golinkin, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024 In recent years, Chinese leader Xi Jinping has shown an impatient determination to resolve Taiwan’s status in a way his predecessors never did. Andrew S. Erickson, Foreign Affairs, 16 Feb. 2024 While the impatient diners (rarely seen) demand service, the line cooks shift into battle mode. Peter Debruge, Variety, 16 Feb. 2024 But Dexter and Emma each wonder at different points why it’s taken so long for anything to happen between them, and the structure of One Day will likely leave you just as confused and impatient. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 8 Feb. 2024

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

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

Dictionary Entries Near impatient

Cite this Entry

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

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

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