as in incentive
something that arouses action or activity
fear of failing should be plenty of motivation to study for the test
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Recent Examples of motivation
Dwindling motivation leads to promotion burnout.
—
Glamour, 24 Apr. 2026
My motivations have to be right.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 24 Apr. 2026
The senators' letter probes the potential political motivations of the investigation.
—Matt Peterson,emily Wilkins, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
Hepting, who has since retired from her post at the county, disputed Simasko’s depiction of her motivations in a message to ProPublica.
—Anna Clark, ProPublica, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for motivation
Glamour, 24 Apr. 2026
My motivations have to be right.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 24 Apr. 2026
The senators' letter probes the potential political motivations of the investigation.
—Matt Peterson,emily Wilkins, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
Hepting, who has since retired from her post at the county, disputed Simasko’s depiction of her motivations in a message to ProPublica.
—Anna Clark, ProPublica, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for motivation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motivation
Noun
-
There are no performance incentive payments or cost-of-living increase for senior leadership in the current fiscal year, according to a budget overview, and no incentive payments for anyone in the coming fiscal year starting July 1.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
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In 2022, Massachusetts became the first state in the country to adopt an equity performance incentive, explicitly holding the system accountable for reaching low-income households, renters, and communities of color.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The freebie was the likely impetus for the big increase in attendance, but Murakami’s slugging surely convinced some fans to come check out the scene on the South Side on a sunny but cool afternoon.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
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After a brief interruption due to bad light, Josh Clarkson's late impetus guided New Zealand to a challenging total.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In the aftermath, Pollard’s inbox filled with criticisms, encouragement and recommendations.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
27 Apr. 2026
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Arizona’s rapid low-density residential development sprawl is driven by its rabid encouragement of ever more population growth.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Beginning with the stimulus of a cup or two of strong coffee, fifteen-year-old Columbia College sophomore George Templeton Strong started a diary in 1835.—
Matthew Wills,
JSTOR Daily,
27 Apr. 2026
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The project aims to produce materials that change their mechanical properties and shape in response to external light stimuli.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Motivation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motivation. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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