motivator

noun

mo·​ti·​va·​tor ˈmō-tə-ˌvā-tər 

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

Far more sustaining are intrinsic motivators such as a growth mindset, strong sense purpose, and satisfying curiosity. —Ulrik Juul Christensen, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025

Pellerin cites smart writing as his central motivator for picking roles. —William Earl, Variety, 22 Aug. 2025

And while certainly not a requirement, wearing fashion found in a thrift store is a big motivator for many of the members. —Rachel McRady, People.com, 21 Aug. 2025

The Franklin note is stirring, too, because the man — despite being a great recruiter and motivator — has a rep for fizzling in big games. —Chris Branch, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined above