motivate

verb

mo·ti·vate ˈmō-tə-ˌvāt

motivated; motivating

Synonyms of motivate next

transitive verb

: to provide with a motive : impel

questions that excite and motivate youth

She was motivated by a desire to help children.

motivative

ˈmō-tə-ˌvā-tiv

adjective

Examples of motivate in a Sentence

No one knows what motivated him to act in such a violent way.

Recent Examples on the Web When Rosie’s was first named a Bib Gourmand in 2023 — the designation means a restaurant serves good food at approachable prices — West said the praise motivated his team. —

Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2024 Share [Findings] Psychopaths recommend harsher punishments for homicides, whether accidental or motivated by profit, but exhibit relatively low concern about killing in general. —

Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 24 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for motivate

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'motivate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.