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View synonyms for impetus

impetus

[im-pi-tuhs]

noun

plural

impetuses 
  1. a moving force; impulse; stimulus.

    The grant for building the opera house gave impetus to the city's cultural life.

    Synonyms: boost, spur, stimulation
  2. (broadly) the momentum of a moving body, especially with reference to the cause of motion.



impetus

/ ˈɪmpɪtəs /

noun

  1. an impelling movement or force; incentive or impulse; stimulus

  2. physics the force that sets a body in motion or that tends to resist changes in a body's motion

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of impetus1

First recorded in 1650–60; from Latin: “an attack,” literally, “a rushing into,” perhaps by haplology from unattested impetitus (though the expected form would be unattested impetītus; appetite ), equivalent to impetī-, variant stem of impetere “to attack” ( im- im- 1 + petere “to make for, assault”) + -tus suffix of verb action
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Word History and Origins

Origin of impetus1

C17: from Latin: attack, from impetere to assail, from im- (in) + petere to make for, seek out
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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He had that impetus carry over from his playing days that brought passion and confidence to the players.

Read more on BBC

The impetus was the 2023 resignation of CEO Bernard Looney, who the company said was “not fully transparent” about his past relationships with colleagues.

Some have argued focusing on earnings reports and prepping for analyst calls eats up time and money that could be better spent running their businesses and creates an impetus to make short-term decisions.

Any rate relief now could merely provide more impetus to band together and strengthen their defenses for the future.

It’s the impetus for the entire drama that unfolds in this film, and it feels genuinely risky — a taboo that will be hard for this film to resolve.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

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impetuousimpf.