IMPETUS Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

impetus

noun

ˈim-pə-təs

Definition of impetus

as in incentive

something that arouses action or activity the reward money should be sufficient impetus for someone to come forward with information about the robbery

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of impetus But for the iconoclastic Coppola, a desire to work with an up-and-coming actor, who his friends Brian De Palma and Martin Scorsese had discovered and was not yet a star, became the other key impetus to make the film. — Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 14 Aug. 2026 Despite Villa reaching their zenith under Emery in May, there was a growing argument to undergo a stable transitional phase, providing youthful impetus and appearing proactive, rather than reactive, in lowering the age of the squad. — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026 The impetus for this work, according to the researchers, is that drug-resistant bacteria are rife and growing. — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 7 Aug. 2026 The search for a murder suspect thought to have fled to California got impetus from the release last week of new images — and, before that, from the death of Robert Redford. — Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for impetus

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impetus

Noun

Investors are also betting on a future DeepSeek listing in the mainland, said Wayne Shiong, managing partner at Argo Venture Partners, as the startup risks an exodus of senior engineers without financial incentives to stay.

— Anniek Bao,Elaine Yu, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Instead, the law provides the city with an incentive to dangle before the team.

— Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of incentive

Noun

This simply exposes the true motivation of some who have advocated opposition to this transaction.

— Matt Donnelly, Variety, 22 Aug. 2026
Mental health conditions such as depression can sap both energy and motivation, while medical issues including hypothyroidism, anemia and chronic fatigue syndrome can also cause debilitating symptoms.

— Daryl Austin, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026