View synonyms for

impetus

[ im-pi-tuhs ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

plural impetuses.

a moving force; impulse; stimulus:
The grant for building the opera house gave impetus to the city's cultural life.
Synonyms: , ,
(broadly) the momentum of a moving body, especially with reference to the cause of motion.

impetus

/ ˈɪ��ɪ��ə�� /

noun

an impelling movement or force; incentive or impulse; stimulus
physics the force that sets a body in motion or that tends to resist changes in a body's motion

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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 ��ī�ٳܲ�; appetite ), equivalent to ��ī-, 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 have not been reviewed.

The impetus for the strike, union leaders said, was 44 labor law violations allegedly committed by the county, including retaliation and contracting of jobs that are supposed to be filled by union workers.

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Union leaders said the impetus for the strike was a string of 44 labor law violations allegedly committed by the county, including retaliation and contracting out work that’s supposed to be done by union members.

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And Trump's tariffs have given the Chinese Communist Party an even stronger impetus to unlock the country's consumer potential.

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I think the impetus of the paper comes from multiple observations and experiences I’ve had over the years, both as a young scientist and someone who observes birds recreationally.

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Delivered a lot of attacking impetus going forward and it was probably his best performance for Leicester all season.

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Related Words

impetuous impf.

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