Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun impetus

2 senses of impetus

Sense 1
drift, impetus, impulsion -- (a force that moves something along)
       => force -- ((physics) the influence that produces a change in a physical quantity; "force equals mass times acceleration")

Sense 2
impulse, impulsion, impetus -- (the act of applying force suddenly; "the impulse knocked him over")
       => drive, thrust, driving force -- (the act of applying force to propel something; "after reaching the desired velocity the drive is cut off")