impetus
noun

- something that makes a process or activity happen, or happen more quickly

Oxford Languages

—
PHRASE ORIGIN

The word "impetus" comes from the Latin word impetere meaning "to attack" or "to assail”. It entered the English language in the late 14th century and originally referred to a physical force or momentum. Today, it is used more broadly to describe a driving force, motivation, or stimulus that encourages action or change.

—
HISTORICAL EVENTS

Throughout history, various events have served as an impetus for significant change — examples include:

- The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914, which acted as an impetus for World War I.

- The launch of Sputnik in 1957, which provided impetus for the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union.

- The publication of Rachel Carson's "Silent Spring" in 1962, which gave impetus to the modern environmental movement.


—
SYNONYMS

- something that makes a process or activity happen or happen more

accelerant, accelerator, activator, animator, boost, catalyst, catapult, cause, determinant, driving force, electric shock, energizer, facilitation, facilitator, fomentation, galvanizer, gee-up, IMPETUS, impulse, incitement, inducement, instigation, instigator, kick in the pants (up the backside), kick-start, motive power, prime mover, prod, prodder, prompting, prompt, propellant, provocateur, provocation, sparking, spark, spur, spurring (on), spring, springboard, spurting, squeeze, starter (pistol), stimulus, stimulation, stimulant, stimulator, trigger, wave maker, wind in sails

Three words are often used in combination with impetus:

- added impetus = The recent surge in demand for electric vehicles has added impetus to research in battery technology.
 
- additional impetus = The introduction of new tax incentives has provided additional impetus for businesses to invest in renewable energy.

- fresh impetus = The launch of a new marketing campaign has given fresh impetus to sales of the company's products.


—
SMUGGLE OWAD into an English conversation, say something like:

“What was the IMPETUS for your moving to this part of the country?

—
THANKS to Uli for suggesting today’s word!

—
HERZLICHEN DANK to all readers helping me keep OWAD alive with single or monthly donations.

Every month, I spend evening and weekend hours with my family researching and writing your daily OWAD. It remains FREE, AD-free, and ALIVE thanks to voluntary donations from appreciative readers.

If you aren’t already, please also consider supporting us - even the equivalent of a single cup of coffee a month will help us cover mailing, site hosting, and maintenance costs. Just head over to DonorBox:

https://donorbox.org/please-become-a-friend-of-owad-5-3

or bank transfer to Paul Smith
IBAN: DE75 7316 0000 0002 5477 40
Please use your email-address as ‘Verwendungszweck’

Thank you,
Paul