motivate

verb

mo·​ti·​vate ˈmō-tə-ˌvāt How to pronounce motivate (audio)
motivated; motivating

transitive verb

: to provide with a motive : impel
questions that excite and motivate youth
She was motivated by a desire to help children.
motivative 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
By sharing stories of corruption, privilege and inequality, social media not only informed but also galvanized Nepal’s youth, motivating collective mobilization against the country’s systemic injustice. Nir Kshetri, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2025 Dangerous motivation With Robinson now in custody, investigators will dig into what might have motivated the suspect. Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 13 Sep. 2025 He was hired by Berrada, whose switch was motivated by the opportunity to modernise United in the way City had already been moulded. Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025 But Democrats lost ground with Latino voters and other groups of voters Republicans were able to motivate, giving Trump the edge. Benjamin Siegel, ABC News, 12 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for motivate

Word History

First Known Use

1836, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of motivate was in 1836

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Motivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/motivate. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

motivate

verb
mo·​ti·​vate ˈmōt-ə-ˌvāt How to pronounce motivate (audio)
motivated; motivating
: to provide with a reason for doing something : induce

Medical Definition

motivate

transitive verb
mo·​ti·​vate ˈmōt-ə-ˌvāt How to pronounce motivate (audio)
motivated; motivating
: to provide with a motive or serve as a motive for
motivate patients to change unhealthy lifestyles
motivative adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on motivate

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