motivator
noun
mo·ti·va·tor
ˈmō-tə-ˌvā-tər 
plural motivators
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
Robert W. CorlExercising with someone else … can be a motivator.—Joanne Lannin
Joanne LanninAndre Harris, without basketball as a motivator, had slipped back into bad habits academically.—John Feinstein
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
Michelle TanExamples of motivator in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
That makes culture-war issues more useful as political motivators, so candidates use them more.
—David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2024
Despite Dunst’s frustration over the salary gap, money wasn’t — and isn’t — a big motivator for her.
—Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 3 Apr. 2024
Security concerns were a top motivator for the group, says IATSE Local B-192 secretary/treasurer Cat Hutchinson, who has led Dodger Stadium tours for 10 years.
—Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Apr. 2024
There was mass speculation over Meta’s move to cancel its lease at 1 Triton Square, though there was a broad consensus that falling headcount, both in the office and at the company more broadly, was a big motivator.
—Byryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 19 Mar. 2024
Over the last five to 10 years, convenience was a primary purchase motivator among shoppers.
—Dara A. Busch, Fortune, 11 Mar. 2024
Home-court is equally important for the Timberwolves and Thunder, two younger teams who could use the crowd being on their side as a motivator.
—Esfandiar Baraheni, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024
That did not happen, and the Vikings get a second year with one of the top defensive game planners and motivators in the NFL.
—Steve Silverman, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
There is simply no better motivator to recover than to heal your family and friends.
—Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 28 Mar. 2024
David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2024
Despite Dunst’s frustration over the salary gap, money wasn’t — and isn’t — a big motivator for her.
—Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 3 Apr. 2024
Security concerns were a top motivator for the group, says IATSE Local B-192 secretary/treasurer Cat Hutchinson, who has led Dodger Stadium tours for 10 years.
—Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Apr. 2024
There was mass speculation over Meta’s move to cancel its lease at 1 Triton Square, though there was a broad consensus that falling headcount, both in the office and at the company more broadly, was a big motivator.
—Byryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 19 Mar. 2024
Over the last five to 10 years, convenience was a primary purchase motivator among shoppers.
—Dara A. Busch, Fortune, 11 Mar. 2024
Home-court is equally important for the Timberwolves and Thunder, two younger teams who could use the crowd being on their side as a motivator.
—Esfandiar Baraheni, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024
That did not happen, and the Vikings get a second year with one of the top defensive game planners and motivators in the NFL.
—Steve Silverman, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
There is simply no better motivator to recover than to heal your family and friends.
—Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 28 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'motivator.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near motivator
Cite this Entry
“Motivator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/motivator. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
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