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
What, then, has motivated the sports industry to seemingly ignore past and present challenges and keep investing abroad?
—
Adam Minter, Twin Cities, 4 Jan. 2026
In the case of Crestview, the thefts were believed to be motivated by the harvesting of the piña — the plant’s hearty, pineapple-like center that can weigh 100 or more pounds and is used for tequila and mezcal.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2026
This invasion represents the greatest tragedy that the country has suffered, which is motivated by an insatiable greed for our strategic resources.
—David Unsworth, FOXNews.com, 3 Jan. 2026
Navigating Safety and Accreditation in Mexico The decision to undergo surgery abroad is often financially motivated, but safety must remain the paramount driver.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for motivate
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adam Minter, Twin Cities, 4 Jan. 2026
In the case of Crestview, the thefts were believed to be motivated by the harvesting of the piña — the plant’s hearty, pineapple-like center that can weigh 100 or more pounds and is used for tequila and mezcal.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2026
This invasion represents the greatest tragedy that the country has suffered, which is motivated by an insatiable greed for our strategic resources.
—David Unsworth, FOXNews.com, 3 Jan. 2026
Navigating Safety and Accreditation in Mexico The decision to undergo surgery abroad is often financially motivated, but safety must remain the paramount driver.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 2 Jan. 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 7 Jan. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share