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
Müller contends that support for the referendum is motivated less by xenophobia than people’s concern that the population is growing at an uncontrolled rate.
—
Sebastian Shukla, CNN Money, 13 June 2026
Others have maintained that the murders were primarily motivated by financial gain and that the convictions should stand.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2026
In a broader reflection on his career evolution, Johnson explained what motivates him now.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 13 June 2026
Critically, roughly 70% of the increase in clean-energy spending over the past five years has come from net importers of fossil fuels — nations motivated not by climate idealism but by energy security.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for motivate
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Sebastian Shukla, CNN Money, 13 June 2026
Others have maintained that the murders were primarily motivated by financial gain and that the convictions should stand.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2026
In a broader reflection on his career evolution, Johnson explained what motivates him now.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 13 June 2026
Critically, roughly 70% of the increase in clean-energy spending over the past five years has come from net importers of fossil fuels — nations motivated not by climate idealism but by energy security.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for motivate
Cite this Entry
“Motivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/motivate. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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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