as in to encourage
to rouse to action or activity
The presence of treats motivated the dogs to obey their owner's commands. They drove a campaign to motivate voters to show up to the polls.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of motivate
Is the disappearance politically or financially motivated?
—
Jennifer McLogan, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
In each case, the school district argued that its changes were not racially motivated.
—Alison Somin, Oc Register, 10 Apr. 2026
Motivated Mars activates your 6th House of Well-being as of today, motivating you to reconfigure routines and direct your formidable focus toward the tasks that truly count.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 9 Apr. 2026
From short inspiring sayings to uplifting quotes, these positive messages will help motivate you.
—Mary Alice Russell, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for motivate
Jennifer McLogan, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
In each case, the school district argued that its changes were not racially motivated.
—Alison Somin, Oc Register, 10 Apr. 2026
Motivated Mars activates your 6th House of Well-being as of today, motivating you to reconfigure routines and direct your formidable focus toward the tasks that truly count.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 9 Apr. 2026
From short inspiring sayings to uplifting quotes, these positive messages will help motivate you.
—Mary Alice Russell, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for motivate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motivate
Verb
-
To manage that reality, Manning encourages newer teachers to establish boundaries early and stick to them.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
18 Apr. 2026
-
On Tuesday, the New York Islanders showed a message on the video board at their Long Island arena encouraging hockey fans to donate to Duran’s legal defense fund.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Barnes persuaded Imam and his new wife, Alice, to join the project in Steubenville, and the couple bought a house there in 2019.—
Emma Green,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
-
In fact, his ally House Speaker Mike Johnson persuaded him to take it down.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The idea was to lure visitors in with notions of decadence and frills, and then force them to confront the harsh realities of imperialism, colonialism, and the relentlessness of the fashion cycle.—
Emilia Petrarca,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
-
House and Senate Democrats plan to force separate votes in both chambers on Iran war powers resolutions this week.—
John Parkinson,
ABC News,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The streamer has put a spotlight on its ability to create bespoke alliances with its programs, according to media buyers who have negotiated ad deals with the company, realizing that such offerings might entice advertisers to buy more regular commercial inventory.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
13 Apr. 2026
-
In Mississippi, a temporary exhibit created specifically for the commemoration -- Mississippi Made -- fills a space that is routinely changed to entice visitors to return.—
GARY FIELDS,
Arkansas Online,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
At 23 years old, Cameron Weitzel has turned his passion into a business and is using his voice to inspire others.—
Conor McGill,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Meanwhile, the olive green tile in the guest bathroom was painted with a custom motif inspired by grasses found at the bottom of the lake—another way to give the house a sense of its surroundings.—
Hannah Martin,
Architectural Digest,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This amazing project significantly expands our ability to accomplish our mission, to stimulate curiosity and inspire science learning in everyone, on a scale and with an impact unlike anything in our history.—
Staff report,
Daily News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Simple habits like hydration, fiber intake, coffee, physical activity, and proper posture can help stimulate bowel movements.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Their lack leaves us too much time to grow weary of Tara — whose unraveling under pressure is understandable, yet has an effect on the viewer more exhausting than empathy-inducing.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Her lipstick, her sneakers, and yes, her heat rash-inducing sweaters.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Motivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motivate. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
