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.
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Recent Examples of motivate
The Constitution endows Congress with the authority to do just that, if only the body could be motivated to act.
—
Robert Goulder, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Luka’s policy change was motivated in part by regulatory pressure, especially in Italy, where officials worried that Replika posed a risk to minors and emotionally fragile users.
—Patricia Marx, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Saturn's energy will bring harsh realities into Aquarius' focus during the eclipse, which could motivate them to pursue financial freedom.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2025
Mercenaries are defined as soldiers who are contracted by third parties unaffiliated with a nation’s armed forces and motivated primarily by private gain.
—Rebecca Johns, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for motivate
Robert Goulder, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Luka’s policy change was motivated in part by regulatory pressure, especially in Italy, where officials worried that Replika posed a risk to minors and emotionally fragile users.
—Patricia Marx, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Saturn's energy will bring harsh realities into Aquarius' focus during the eclipse, which could motivate them to pursue financial freedom.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2025
Mercenaries are defined as soldiers who are contracted by third parties unaffiliated with a nation’s armed forces and motivated primarily by private gain.
—Rebecca Johns, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for motivate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motivate
Verb
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Readers should not rely solely on the content of this article and are encouraged to seek professional advice tailored to their specific circumstances.—
Lyssanoel Frater,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
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The Associated Press reported that Robinson’s father recognized his son from the images released by law enforcement, and then encouraged his son to turn himself in.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Masiko enrolled him in a boarding school and persuaded Peter’s mom to allow her son to move in with his family.—
John Blake,
CNN Money,
14 Sep. 2025
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The alleged gunman was identified as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, whose family persuaded him to turn himself in after a two-day manhunt.—
Landon Mion , Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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France’s government has collapsed after a vote of no confidence on Monday, forcing Prime Minister Francois Bayrou out of office after just nine months on the job.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
9 Sep. 2025
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Quarterback Brock Purdy, who delivered a clutch, game-winning drive after throwing two interceptions, has a bad shoulder and toe that could force him to miss Week 2.—
Robert Marvi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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There are tons of enticing cold and hot drinks.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
9 Sep. 2025
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Responding to the demand, and hoping to entice younger shoppers into their financial ecosystems, payment facilitators such as Cash App, the BNPL provider Klarna, the fintech bank Chime, and even American Express have recently launched their own debit cards.—
Michael Waters,
The Atlantic,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Oysters inspired the researchers because of their remarkable ability to attach to rocks, bridge pilings, or even each other in the harsh underwater environment.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Sep. 2025
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Odighizuwa said watching his mother’s struggles and strength inspired him to want to help others in the same situation.—
Lawrence Dow,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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At the same time, playful responsiveness stimulates the vagus nerve, a key part of the parasympathetic nervous system linked to relaxation and safety.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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Salmon Salmon is rich in omega-3 and vitamin D, and helps to stimulate collagen production within the skin.—
Alessandra Signorelli,
Vogue,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The anxiety-inducing thought of being left alone often causes dogs to plead with their owners.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
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This typically leads to interconnected debt arrangements such that a default by a key market participant induces a cascade of defaults by other participants whose ability to cover their own debt obligations relied on parties who have defaulted.—
Hersh Shefrin,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Motivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motivate. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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