motivate
verb
mo·ti·vate
ˈmō-tə-ˌvāt 
motivated; motivating
1
: to give (someone) a reason for doing something
questions that excite and motivate youth
She was motivated by a desire to help children.
2
: to be a reason for something
said that money did not motivate their decision
Examples of motivate in a Sentence
No one knows what motivated him to act in such a violent way.
Recent Examples on the Web
Greene said her decision was motivated by the desire to spare her district from a contentious and divisive primary challenge instigated by the president.
—
Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Nov. 2025
Redistricting generally occurs to reflect population changes as measured by the national census conducted each decade, though this year's redistricting has been motivated by securing partisan advantage.
—John Kruzel, USA Today, 22 Nov. 2025
Similarly, my research in Ukraine, Colombia and the Philippines shows that many men using international dating services are motivated by more than just love or cultural curiosity.
—Julia Meszaros, The Conversation, 21 Nov. 2025
In Friday's request to the Supreme Court, the state of Texas pushed back on these arguments, asserting that the redistricting process was entirely partisan and wasn't motivated by race.
—Joe Walsh, CBS News, 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for motivate
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Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Nov. 2025
Redistricting generally occurs to reflect population changes as measured by the national census conducted each decade, though this year's redistricting has been motivated by securing partisan advantage.
—John Kruzel, USA Today, 22 Nov. 2025
Similarly, my research in Ukraine, Colombia and the Philippines shows that many men using international dating services are motivated by more than just love or cultural curiosity.
—Julia Meszaros, The Conversation, 21 Nov. 2025
In Friday's request to the Supreme Court, the state of Texas pushed back on these arguments, asserting that the redistricting process was entirely partisan and wasn't motivated by race.
—Joe Walsh, CBS News, 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for motivate
Cite this Entry
“Motivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/motivate. Accessed 27 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
motivate
verb
mo·ti·vate
ˈmōt-ə-ˌvāt
motivated; motivating
: to provide with a reason for doing something : induce
Medical Definition
motivate
transitive verb
mo·ti·vate
ˈmōt-ə-ˌvāt
motivated; motivating
: to provide with a motive or serve as a motive for
motivate patients to change unhealthy lifestyles
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