motivator

noun

mo·​ti·​va·​tor ˈmō-tə-ˌvā-tər How to pronounce motivator (audio)
plural motivators
: one that motivates or impels someone or something
a subconscious motivator of behavior
: such as
a
: a factor or situation that causes people to feel motivated to do something : incentive
Only a fool, though, would deny that money is a very real and basic need and, of course, a motivator of sorts.Robert W. Corl
Exercising with someone else … can be a motivator.Joanne Lannin
Andre Harris, without basketball as a motivator, had slipped back into bad habits academically.John Feinstein
b
: a person who motivates others
But Romo's not an enabler; he's a motivator, says [Jessica] Simpson. "If I'm not feeling good about myself, he'll say, 'Get your butt up and go to the gym then!'"Michelle Tan

Examples of motivator in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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And, economic pain is one of our greatest motivators. Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025 Injury reduction, in addition to more exciting plays, was a key motivator for the league to change the rules. Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 16 Sep. 2025 More importantly, deadlines trigger loss aversion, one of our most powerful psychological motivators. Juliette Han, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025 Children are both a key motivator and cudgel for these men. Grace Byron, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for motivator

Word History

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of motivator was in 1909

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Cite this Entry

“Motivator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/motivator. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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