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
Hispanic voters are often misunderstood, with many viewing the bloc as motivated by issues of immigration and agriculture, according to the Los Angeles Times and previous Statesman reporting.
—
Idaho Statesman, 16 May 2026
Trump was asked this week if people's economic woes were motivating him to reach a deal with Tehran.
—Brad Brooks, USA Today, 16 May 2026
In her conversation with Kelly, Williams explained that she is motivated by knowing that less than 2% of all VC money flows to female entrepreneurs.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 16 May 2026
Most models are usually inclined to speculate answers because simply avoiding answering will motivate the users to question the model’s capabilities.
—Mohamed Suliman, Boston Herald, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for motivate
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Idaho Statesman, 16 May 2026
Trump was asked this week if people's economic woes were motivating him to reach a deal with Tehran.
—Brad Brooks, USA Today, 16 May 2026
In her conversation with Kelly, Williams explained that she is motivated by knowing that less than 2% of all VC money flows to female entrepreneurs.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 16 May 2026
Most models are usually inclined to speculate answers because simply avoiding answering will motivate the users to question the model’s capabilities.
—Mohamed Suliman, Boston Herald, 15 May 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 18 May. 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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