Definition of motivate
motivated;
motivating
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Examples of motivate in a Sentence
No one knows what motivated him to act in such a violent way.
Recent Examples of motivate from the Web
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That motivates them to take up activism and demand a change, but mounting obstacles get in their way.
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Few details of what happened inside the classroom on May 25, or what motivated the 13-year-old shooter, have been released.
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Gun rights have typically motivated conservative voters to get to the polls on that issue alone.
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With his wide-ranging travels and marked allergy to snobbery, Bourdain motivated others—fellow chefs and fans alike—to go further in their understanding of food, culture, and the human condition.
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According to Frank, this difference should motivate humans to take climate change seriously.
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Torrey Pines High senior Sophia LeRose has a self-motivating, tireless drive that has propelled her to the next level.
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If the point of American Animals is that all these years later no one really knows what motivated the crime beyond avarice, well, that doesn’t seem interesting enough to build an entire movie around.
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Her passion for equal treatment for people with disabilities is motivating her to pursue a career as a psychiatrist and counselor.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'motivate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of motivate
1836
MOTIVATE Defined for English Language Learners
Definition of motivate for English Language Learners
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: to give (someone) a reason for doing something
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: to be a reason for (something)
MOTIVATE Defined for Kids
Definition of motivate for Students
motivated;
motivating
: to give or be a reason for doing something
- Prizes motivated him to join the contest.
Medical Dictionary
medical Definition of motivate
motivated;
motivating
: to provide with a motive or serve as a motive for
- motivate patients to change unhealthy lifestyles
Learn More about motivate
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See words that rhyme with motivate Spanish Central: Translation of motivate Nglish: Translation of motivate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of motivate for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
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