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
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Recent Examples of impetus
His impetus to draw these posters — which are available for sale on his website — is self-driven.
—
Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
While the trade deal had been in negotiations for years, held up by domestic opposition, Washington’s tariff campaign created a new impetus.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 24 Mar. 2026
While the state has pointed to the rising cost of health insurance as the impetus for its program changes, the Times/Herald found that Department of Health leadership forced out key program employees months earlier.
—Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2026
Flexibility was an impetus for the team’s formation three years ago.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for impetus
Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
While the trade deal had been in negotiations for years, held up by domestic opposition, Washington’s tariff campaign created a new impetus.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 24 Mar. 2026
While the state has pointed to the rising cost of health insurance as the impetus for its program changes, the Times/Herald found that Department of Health leadership forced out key program employees months earlier.
—Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2026
Flexibility was an impetus for the team’s formation three years ago.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for impetus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impetus
Noun
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This is not an indictment of individuals but of incentives built into a system structured to protect bureaucracy while classrooms absorb the pressure.—
Daniel L Gordon,
Daily News,
29 Mar. 2026
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This investment would be best paired with incentives to companies to offer greater part-time and flexible work options.—
Abby McCloskey,
Twin Cities,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Paddack noted how Sandy Alcantara came to him in the dugout and gave him words of encouragement.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
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The Giants never led in the series, so Vitello didn’t get to deploy his bullpen in a late-game situation with a lead to protect, but the early returns from the relievers are reason for encouragement.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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What were the hostage takers’ motivations?—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
4 Apr. 2026
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The other is a patchy, unpersuasive psychodrama about the underlying motivations and years-later ramifications of an unspeakable act—or, in this case, an unrealized plan to commit an unspeakable act.—
Hannah Jocelyn,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
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But there are a number of reasons to file tax returns even when they’re not strictly required, including claiming tax credits, getting back income tax withheld from paychecks or retirement accounts, and getting access to any future government stimulus payments that might be offered.—
Liz Weston,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
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Unlike conventional systems that are often heavy and mechanically complex, this lightweight material responds to external stimuli such as heat.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Impetus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impetus. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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