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
Fox earlier this week announced the $22 billion acquisition of Roku, a major swing motivated in part by a need for greater advertising scale in streaming.
—
Dade Hayes, Deadline, 18 June 2026
If your Taurus is acting resistant to change, try using reward systems, whether that's a sticker chart for your little one or a chores app for your older kiddo, to motivate them.
—Maressa Brown, Parents, 18 June 2026
The threat actor, which Diachenko said was criminally motivated, started by mass-scanning the Internet for FortiGate remote login endpoints.
—Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 17 June 2026
This then activates your dopamine pathways, leaving you happy, satisfied, and motivated to keep moving.
—Laura Kiniry, Popular Science, 17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for motivate
Dade Hayes, Deadline, 18 June 2026
If your Taurus is acting resistant to change, try using reward systems, whether that's a sticker chart for your little one or a chores app for your older kiddo, to motivate them.
—Maressa Brown, Parents, 18 June 2026
The threat actor, which Diachenko said was criminally motivated, started by mass-scanning the Internet for FortiGate remote login endpoints.
—Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 17 June 2026
This then activates your dopamine pathways, leaving you happy, satisfied, and motivated to keep moving.
—Laura Kiniry, Popular Science, 17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for motivate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motivate
Verb
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Nick Engen and Taylor Calmus CBS To help encourage fathers navigating similar experiences, Taylor Calmus, creator of the popular online Dude Dad brand, visited the NICU ahead of Father's Day to surprise Engen and other dads with gift bags filled with supplies.—
Dillon Thomas,
CBS News,
20 June 2026
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You are encouraged to sit and lounge and read.—
Rachel Brodsky,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
Verb
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After receiving news that Ruben has lost his appeal and seems resigned to his fate, Anna naturally springs into action in a last-ditch effort to persuade the governor of his innocence.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
19 June 2026
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For a service built on impulse viewing, telco deals buy instant reach and built-in billing in price-sensitive markets where persuading users to sign up directly can be hard.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
18 June 2026
Verb
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In 1976, the Bicentennial followed the traumas of the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal that had forced President Richard Nixon's resignation.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
22 June 2026
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An uncontained blaze in Utah’s Juab County has scorched 34 square miles, forcing the evacuation of Eureka and nearby ranches as firefighters race to shield homes amid fierce winds.—
Valerie Gonzalez,
Los Angeles Times,
22 June 2026
Verb
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Seen from the other side of the deal, that means that bond issuers must pay higher yields, or rates, for investors to be enticed to buy.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
15 June 2026
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Financial incentives offered by the conservation district, in conjunction with federal programs, have enticed farmers in the South Fork of the Republican River near Burlington to end irrigation on an additional 20,000 acres.—
Allen Best,
Denver Post,
14 June 2026
Verb
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Thomas Tuchel was appointed with the simple task of coaching England to a World Cup win, and England showed early signs of his tactical acumen, but also his ability to inspire his players.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
19 June 2026
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Serving East African street food inspired by husband-and-wife owners Hamissi Mamba and Nadia Nijimbere’s native Burundi, Waka delivers African flavors in small bites.—
USA TODAY Network,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
Verb
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The mature, honest dialogue offers a sense of resolve, ushering you into a pleasant space that stimulates you to nurture yourself.—
Lisa Stardust,
Vogue,
18 June 2026
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Red light is mitochondrially stimulating, so late-night use can disrupt sleep.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
18 June 2026
Verb
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The 2025 memoir garnered high praise from bestseller-inducing trifecta Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon and Jenna Bush Hager.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
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From $1,100 Consider this a calming antidote to Queenstown’s adrenaline-inducing thrills.—
Todd Plummer,
Robb Report,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Motivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motivate. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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