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
Relevance
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
While von Holzhausen didn't comment on the impetus for the redesign, the company has come under fire following an earlier Bloomberg investigation documenting cases where Tesla occupants —or first responders—have struggled to exit or enter the vehicle after a loss of power.
—
Jason Del Rey, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2025
Trump tacked on a 25 percent tariff to an existing 25 percent duty rate, citing India’s purchase of Russian oil as the impetus.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 17 Sep. 2025
That collective tightness, honed on their summer European run, was the impetus to get the crowd moving, and often surfing, through the venue.
—Daniel Kohn, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2025
But to me the history of Zionism bears revisiting as a reminder of its impetus and early diversity.
—Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impetus
Jason Del Rey, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2025
Trump tacked on a 25 percent tariff to an existing 25 percent duty rate, citing India’s purchase of Russian oil as the impetus.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 17 Sep. 2025
That collective tightness, honed on their summer European run, was the impetus to get the crowd moving, and often surfing, through the venue.
—Daniel Kohn, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2025
But to me the history of Zionism bears revisiting as a reminder of its impetus and early diversity.
—Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impetus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impetus
Noun
-
President Joe Biden's 2022 Inflation Reduction Act—passed solely with Democratic votes in Congress—provided historic incentives for clean energy manufacturers and EV and battery makers.—
Jeff Young,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
-
If a ball is kicked into the landing zone and then bounces into the endzone while staying inbounds, it must be returned or downed; however, there is an incentive for attempting a return in that instance, as a touchback would only spot the receiving team at their 20.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
While the movement has yet to gain traction on this side of the pond, Americans have needed little outside encouragement to get in on the secondhand shopping trend, both online, led by marketplaces like ThredUp and The Real Real, and in thrift stores.—
Pamela N. Danziger,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Pym was in need of encouragement.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The neighbor, who denied any political motivations in the attack, pleaded guilty to assaulting a member of Congress was sentenced to eight months behind bars.—
Chris Boyette,
CNN Money,
14 Sep. 2025
-
What investigators conclude about Robinson’s motivations may have far-reaching consequences beyond his own criminal case.—
Richard Hall,
Time,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Forty years ago, Donald Homa, a professor of psychology at Arizona State University specializing in memory and the visual perception of linguistic stimuli, was contacted by officials at the American Speed Reading Academy with an extraordinary tale.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
16 Sep. 2025
-
The hope was that a quick jolt of stimulus (delivered without haste) could stir an economic recovery.—
Robert Goulder,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Impetus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impetus. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share