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

… won a reputation as a leader and a motivator …

—Leonard Silk

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

Sedelmaier noted that while money was a motivator for young artists, the freedom and collaboration were equally appealing in making the fledgling network a great place to grow as a creative. — Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026

In previous interviews, Brolin credited his stepmom as a motivator to become sober. — Ayana Herndon, InStyle, 30 July 2026

From the monologues that will give you goosebumps to the camaraderie that will put a lump in your throat, this is a great educational motivator to kick off the school year with. — Devonne Goode, Parents, 26 July 2026

Social media wit has been one unintended motivator behind the student movement. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 23 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1918, in the meaning defined above