- 1[uncountable, singular] something that encourages a process or activity to develop more quickly synonym stimulus The debate seems to have lost much of its initial impetus. impetus to something/to do something to give (a) new/fresh impetus to something The mayor's support will give (an) added impetus to the campaign against crime. impetus for something His articles provided the main impetus for change.
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- 2[uncountable] (technology) the force or energy with which something moves
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