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
He is motivated in part by the fact that his two young kids don’t have a nearby park to play in.
—
Steve Lopez,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
This state House seat is largely within the new 25th Congressional District, where both parties will spend millions to motivate voters.
—
Steve Bousquet,
Sun Sentinel,
20 June 2026
But even as Chen played arguably her best game of her career on Wednesday, something extra might have been motivating the 24-year-old guard.
—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
18 June 2026
Fox earlier this week announced the $22 billion acquisition of Roku, a major swing motivated in part by a need for greater advertising scale in streaming.
—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for motivate
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Steve Lopez,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
This state House seat is largely within the new 25th Congressional District, where both parties will spend millions to motivate voters.
—
Steve Bousquet,
Sun Sentinel,
20 June 2026
But even as Chen played arguably her best game of her career on Wednesday, something extra might have been motivating the 24-year-old guard.
—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
18 June 2026
Fox earlier this week announced the $22 billion acquisition of Roku, a major swing motivated in part by a need for greater advertising scale in streaming.
—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
18 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 26 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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