MOTIVATE Synonyms: 74 Similar and Opposite Words

motivate

verb

Definition of motivate

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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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 Some will be motivated to do so after engaging with soccer for the first time in June and July, during the World Cup hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. — Kamran Nia july 23, Charlotte Observer, 23 July 2026 And he definitely isn’t motivated by pure romance in this adaptation, written by New Swan founding artistic and producing director Eli Simon and Anna Fitzgerald, with music by Zachary Dietz. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026 Steve Granger pointed to his wife’s acceptance of a $3,000-a-month job under a clearly adversarial boss as proof she was never motivated by money. — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 23 July 2026 The man who was convicted of trying to kill Salman Rushdie is going on trial again, this time in a federal terrorism case that is probing deeper into what allegedly motivated the stabbing on a lecture stage in 2022. — ABC News, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for motivate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for motivate

Verb

The fish were illegally introduced in the 1970s, so the agency encourages anglers to pursue the game fish and keep their catches.

— Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 23 July 2026
The tradition, known as lördagsgodis, began in the 1950s by Swedish health officials to encourage limiting candy-eating to once a week and prevent cavities.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 July 2026

Definition of encourage

Verb

The new 5th Congressional District boundaries were designed to ease a path for Republicans to force out Cleaver, who has represented Kansas City in Congress since 2005.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2026
If every delay feels like a threat, pause before forcing the next move.

— Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026

Definition of force

Verb

The short turn around is designed to entice users to act quickly and pre-order, but rest assured that a similar PayPal deal will likely come around again in the next few months.

— Janhoi McGregor, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
Profit was pressured by lower average vehicle selling prices as the company offered incentives to entice buyers.

— Bloomberg, Mercury News, 23 July 2026

Definition of entice

Verb

Fans were inspired, and more big-name players followed, including Peter Beardsley, Keegan’s former Newcastle team-mate.

— James Pearce, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Wolverine works for Team X, a black-ops group (inspired by the team from the comics) fighting for mutant survival.

— Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 22 July 2026

Definition of inspire

Verb

Doctors diagnose it through medical history, a physical exam and often electrodiagnostic tests that stimulate the muscles and nerves in the hand, Johns Hopkins says.

— Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 25 July 2026
According to Stanford, red light therapy using a helmet (see the Advanced Laser Helmet Hair Growth System) can enhance the effects of minoxidil by stimulating blood flow.

— Nicole Hernandez, USA Today, 24 July 2026

Definition of stimulate

Verb

Bauers can take advantage of the drool-inducing matchup and hit a home run at nifty +364 odds.

— Josh Shepardson, Forbes.com, 24 July 2026
In the suit, WBD accuses Amazon of intentional interference with contractual relations; inducing breach of contract; intentional interference with prospective economic advantage; and unfair competition in violation of California law.

— Todd Spangler, Variety, 24 July 2026