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
Beyond that, he’s motivated by pure self-interest.
—
Cressida Leyshon, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026
Fraud, lavish spending Prosecutors have alleged that the Hallfords were motivated by greed.
—Colleen Slevin, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Harbaugh and Schoen’s expensive trade up for Fields may have been motivated by what happened in Friday’s second round, when the Houston Texans charged over New York to pick Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
According to prosecutors, police and hit squad members carried out dozens of murders at Duterte’s behest starting in 2011, motivated by the promise of money or to avoid becoming targets themselves.
—CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for motivate
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Cressida Leyshon, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026
Fraud, lavish spending Prosecutors have alleged that the Hallfords were motivated by greed.
—Colleen Slevin, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Harbaugh and Schoen’s expensive trade up for Fields may have been motivated by what happened in Friday’s second round, when the Houston Texans charged over New York to pick Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
According to prosecutors, police and hit squad members carried out dozens of murders at Duterte’s behest starting in 2011, motivated by the promise of money or to avoid becoming targets themselves.
—CNN Money, 24 Apr. 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 28 Apr. 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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