impetus

noun

im·​pe·​tus ˈim-pə-təs 

1

a(1)

: a driving force : impulse

(2)

: incentive, stimulus

b

: stimulation or encouragement resulting in increased activity

2

: the property possessed by a moving body in virtue of its mass and its motion

—used of bodies moving suddenly or violently to indicate the origin and intensity of the motion

Did you know?

Impetus Has Latin Roots

Impetus comes from the Latin verb impetere, meaning "to attack," which is a combination of the prefix in-, meaning "toward," with petere, meaning "to go to" or "to seek." Hence, impetus describes the kind of force that encourages an action ("The impetus behind the project") or the momentum of an action already begun ("The meetings only gave impetus to the rumors of a merger").

Synonyms

• boost
• encouragement
• goad
• impulse
• incentive
• incitation
• incitement
• instigation
• momentum
• motivation
• provocation
• spur
• stimulant
• stimulus
• yeast

Examples of impetus in a Sentence

In a revealing comment, Mr. Updike says an impetus for Rabbit, Run was the "threatening" success of Jack Kerouac's On the Road, the signature book of the 1950s Beat Generation, and its frenetic search for sensation. —Dennis Farney, Wall Street Journal, 16 Sept. 1992

But 1939 gave new impetus to the Western with the Cecil B. de Mille railway epic Union Pacific, John Ford's skillful and dramatic Stagecoach,  … and George Marshall's classic comic Western, Destry Rides Again. —Ira Konigsberg, The Complete Film Dictionary, 1987

… new techniques of navigation and shipbuilding enlarged trade and the geographical horizon; newly centralized power absorbed from the declining medieval communes was at the disposal of the monarchies and the growing nationalism of the past century gave it impetus … —Barbara W. Tuchman, The March of Folly, 1984

His discoveries have given impetus to further research.

the reward money should be sufficient impetus for someone to come forward with information about the robbery

Recent Examples on the Web

Inspiration for spring 2025: The impetus for the brand’s Chapter VI collection was amber, an element Gerosa has a strong personal connection to as its scent reminds him of his mother, Anna, and evokes his childhood memories. —Sandra Salibian, WWD, 17 Sep. 2024

Here’s what your iPhone 16 will do with Apple Intelligence — eventually The impetus behind these RAM bumps appears to be artificial intelligence. —Wes Davis, The Verge, 12 Sep. 2024

The impetus is on Johnson and House Republicans to lead the way on budget talks, but Schumer and Senate Democrats aren’t willing to rubber-stamp anything that comes through their chamber just for the sake of avoiding a shutdown. —Max Thornberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 9 Sep. 2024

Whatever served as the impetus for Fox’s strong showing, Burkhardt and Olsen’s fine work arguably had very little impact on how many fans tuned in over the course of that 2022 season. —Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 6 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin, assault, impetus, from impetere to attack, from in- + petere to go to, seek — more at feather

First Known Use

1641, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

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Kids Definition

impetus

noun

im·​pe·​tus ˈim-pət-əs 

1

a

: a driving force : impulse

b

: incentive

2

: momentum sense 1