Definition of motivate
motivated;
motivating
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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
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Somehow these beliefs about Down syndrome co-exist in our culture with beliefs that motivate most prospective parents to end such pregnancies.
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The notion of self-reliance, present in much of the idealism that motivates black homeschooling, was a unifying theme of African American education from slavery through the post-Civil War era to Jim Crow segregation.
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Make America Great Again’ and the promise to build a wall along the border with Mexico echoes the nostalgia and xenophobia that motivated many Tea Party activists.
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Here, 10 inspiring Instagrams from ploggers across the world that might just motivate you to give it a go yourself: No trash bag?
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That’s the familiar story that motivates Reed Shafer-Ray, a 22-year-old Harvard senior from Oklahoma who lost a close family friend to suicide in 2016.
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Income, unemployment and life expectancy here lag behind most of the country, issues that have motivated the three mayors.
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Anger at Taft was one of the factors that motivated Roosevelt to run for president again in 1912, as the candidate of the Progressive Party.
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But politically, repealing the law could benefit Ducey and Republican lawmakers in swing districts by ending a ballot measure that will motivate thousands of parents, teachers and public-education advocates to go to the polls.
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
Definition of motivate for English Language Learners
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: to give (someone) a reason for doing something
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: to be a reason for (something)
MOTIVATE Defined for Kids
Definition of motivate for Students
motivated;
motivating
: to give or be a reason for doing something
- Prizes motivated him to join the contest.
Medical Dictionary
medical Definition of motivate
motivated;
motivating
: to provide with a motive or serve as a motive for
- motivate patients to change unhealthy lifestyles
Learn More about motivate
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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
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