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
Valle was motivated in part by his love of cycling.
—
Molly McCrea, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
The hackers never demanded a ransom, suggesting they were motivated by destruction and chaos, not profit.
—ABC News, 29 Mar. 2026
Jurist-Rosner was motivated to found Wellthy by her experience helping to care for her mother, who had multiple sclerosis.
—Krysta Escobar, CNBC, 29 Mar. 2026
These victims motivated me to volunteer to work from 2012 through 2014 for the passage of Marsy’s Law for Illinois.
—Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for motivate
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Molly McCrea, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
The hackers never demanded a ransom, suggesting they were motivated by destruction and chaos, not profit.
—ABC News, 29 Mar. 2026
Jurist-Rosner was motivated to found Wellthy by her experience helping to care for her mother, who had multiple sclerosis.
—Krysta Escobar, CNBC, 29 Mar. 2026
These victims motivated me to volunteer to work from 2012 through 2014 for the passage of Marsy’s Law for Illinois.
—Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 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 1 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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