impetus
3 synonyms for impetus, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Something that drives or encourages an action to happen; a driving force.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use impetus
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
give impetus to
lose impetus
fresh impetus
Etymology
From Latin impetus ("a rushing upon, an attack"), from impeto ("to rush upon").
Full origin of impetus →Frequently asked questions
What does “impetus” mean?
The word “impetus” means something that drives or encourages an action to happen; a driving force. In plain terms, the push or motivation that gets something moving or started.
How do you pronounce “impetus”?
“Impetus” is pronounced IHM-puh-tuhs (/ˈɪm.pə.təs/ in IPA).
How do you use “impetus” in a sentence?
Here is “impetus” used in a sentence: “The scandal gave fresh impetus to calls for reform.”
What part of speech is “impetus”?
“Impetus” is a noun.
Where does the word “impetus” come from?
The word “impetus” comes from Latin. From Latin impetus ("a rushing upon, an attack"), from impeto ("to rush upon").
Is “impetus” a common word?
“Impetus” is an uncommon word in modern English.
Related words
impetuous
wind at one's back
