impetus noun
ADJ. considerable, great, powerful, strong | main, major | immediate, initial, original | fresh, new, renewed Each new rumour added fresh impetus to the smear campaign. | added, extra, further | necessary His disappointment in the World Championships provided the necessary impetus to give everything for this final race.
VERB + IMPETUS add, give sb/sth, provide (sb/sth with) The slope added impetus to his speed. | gain, gather, receive The movement is steadily gaining impetus. | lose With the death of its founder, the campaign lost much of its impetus.
IMPETUS + VERB come from sth Much of the impetus for change came from customers' opinions.
PREP. ~ behind sb/sth The main impetus behind the move west was to find gold and other minerals. | ~ for the impetus for arms control agreements | ~ towards the impetus towards urban development
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