motivate

verb

mo·​ti·​vate ˈmō-tə-ˌvāt 

motivated; motivating

transitive verb

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

motivative

ˈmō-tə-ˌvā-tiv 

adjective

Examples of motivate in a Sentence

No one knows what motivated him to act in such a violent way.

Recent Examples on the Web

Police said Friday there is no indication that the killing was politically motivated, but her death has renewed unease about the safety of Britain’s politicians after two others were killed in the last decade. — Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 11 July 2026

They are motivated through a combination of security, belonging, competence, autonomy, fairness and purpose. — Brent Gleeson, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Is the public motivated sufficiently to rise peacefully and demand changes? — Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2026

Government officials and political leaders especially are more often motivated by their own power, material wealth, and status. — Connor Okeeffe, Oc Register, 9 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1794, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for motivate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate
• angulate

Kids 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

motivative

-ˌvāt-iv 

adjective