Definition of motivate
motivated
;motivating
Read the Latest from M-W
Examples of motivate in a Sentence
No one knows what motivated him to act in such a violent way.
Recent Examples of motivate from the Web
-
Heyn noted that Conservative and Orthodox congregations have an easier time maintaining a daily minyan due to an internalized sense of obligation that may be less motivating for Reform Jews.
-
The purpose is to motivate and set the tone for the new school year.
-
With low gas prices motivating buyers to trade in traditional cars for larger models, factories making trucks and sport utility vehicles are humming, with some producing around the clock on three shifts.
-
A rising number of homicides and lagging social mobility are motivating some candidates and voters.
-
His fellow prisoners said the lawsuit appeared motivated in part by a desire for a big payoff from Qatar and was in part a strategy to win over the Egyptian authorities.
-
Hate crimes motivated by ethnicity accounted for about 35 percent of those cases, and sexual orientation represented about 22 percent.
-
Hate crimes motivated by ethnicity accounted for about 35 percent of those cases, and sexual orientation represented about 22 percent.
-
Since the shooting, law enforcement has been investigating what motivated Hodgkinson of Belleville, who died after a shootout with officers.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'motivate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of motivate
1836
MOTIVATE Defined for English Language Learners
motivate
playDefinition of motivate for English Language Learners
-
: to give (someone) a reason for doing something
-
: to be a reason for (something)
MOTIVATE Defined for Kids
motivate
playDefinition of motivate for Students
motivated
;motivating
: to give or be a reason for doing something Prizes motivated him to join the contest.
Medical Dictionary
Learn More about motivate
-
See words that rhyme with motivate Spanish Central: Translation of motivate Nglish: Translation of motivate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of motivate for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up motivate? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!