Driving force

IMPETUS

["Think of a word that means \"momentum\" or \"motivation\" behind an action."]

The clue "Driving force" leads to the answer "IMPETUS" through a straightforward definition. "Impetus" is a Latin word that means the force or energy that makes something happen or move forward. In the context of the clue, "driving force" is a synonym for "impetus," as both phrases refer to the power or motivation behind an action or movement. Therefore, the clue directly defines the answer. There is no wordplay, pun, or cultural reference involved in this clue-answer pair; it is a simple definition clue.