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

Closkey founded the group after spending his early career working on revitalization efforts in the deeply distressed small city of Camden, New Jersey, and says his faith background motivates his work. —Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 13 Dec. 2025

The very high hourly rates, the richness in bright and moderately slow meteors, should motivate skywatchers to resist the cold. —Joe Rao, Space.com, 12 Dec. 2025

At his trial this week, Williams testified that the shooting was motivated by desperation. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Dec. 2025

This realization is what motivated Naderi to start advertising ten years ago. —Adam M. Rosen, thehustle.co, 12 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1794, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for motivate

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

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