momentum

noun

mō-ˈmen-təm How to pronounce momentum (audio)
Definition of momentumnext
as in impetus
something that arouses action or activity the former president's endorsement was all the momentum the campaign needed

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of momentum That momentum led to Biden rewarding the state by making it first in the party’s primary nominating order in 2024. — Lia Russell july 8, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2026 Goodman’s appointment comes amid significant momentum for the Petite Plume brand, with the business nearly doubling in 2025, via expansion across its direct-to-consumer and wholesale networks. — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 8 July 2026 Momenta is part of a wave of companies making their debut on the Hong Kong exchange this week, alongside Apple supplier Luxshare and semiconductor foundry Nexchip, adding momentum to the local tech IPO market. — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 8 July 2026 Big Deal Bank of America Institute’s June 2026 employment report finds that payroll growth strengthened and labor market momentum improved, even as official government data show softer headline job gains. — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for momentum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for momentum
  1. impetus
  2. incentive
  3. encouragement
  4. motivation
  5. stimulus
Noun
  • Whether the impetus is to satisfy a desire for seclusion or to achieve the investment benefits that development allows, these three properties, triangulated across the globe, open up new frontiers and ways of living.
    — Nielsen Dinwoodie, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
  • Not much separated these two teams over 90 minutes, with limited attacking impetus and much of the game being played in midfield.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 4 July 2026
Definition of impetus
Noun
  • Nearly a year after the expiration of a $7,500 federal tax incentive for new electric vehicles, California is stepping in to try to motivate buyers to go electric.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
  • The attack shocked Monaco, a coastal playground for the rich and famous known for its tax-friendly incentives, royal family and Formula 1 Grand Prix.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026
Definition of incentive
Noun
  • Once all but deserted, the town experienced a revival in 1965, when artists and musicians began to flock there after encouragement from the Yugoslav government.
    — Tia Lovisa Moreira, Travel + Leisure, 2 July 2026
  • Alexandria government roasted for absurd anti-fireworks tweet The government of Alexandria tweeted Wednesday a blunt warning about fireworks — and encouragement to snitch on your neighbors.
    — David Hookstead OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of encouragement
Noun
  • Teams Like Norway Are Trying Re-Create Home Conditions Of course, good nutrition isn’t the only motivation behind what Norway and other teams may be doing.
    — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
  • For years, Governor Ron DeSantis has fought the College Board, the group that administers the AP test, over how its standardized tests portray many things, including race and gender but also the motivations of the Founding Fathers.
    — Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026
Definition of motivation
Noun
  • But if productivity growth is low, then stimulus just turns into inflation—too many dollars chasing too few goods.
    — Bill Conerly, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • By integrating smart shades into the components of major smart home ecosystems (those supporting Matter, Thread, Zigbee, or Z-Wave specifically), these systems can react to real-time stimuli.
    — K.H. Koehler, USA Today, 30 June 2026
Definition of stimulus

Browse Nearby Words

moments of truth
momentum
momes
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Cite this Entry

“Momentum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/momentum. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on momentum

Nglish: Translation of momentum for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about momentum

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