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
But Brind’Amour, again, knows how to use those moments to prepare and motivate his players.
—
Cory Lavalette, New York Times, 7 May 2026
Boxing tempts him, the business world motivates him and his role as a promoter excites him.
—Jorge Ebro
may 6, Miami Herald, 6 May 2026
They were convicted of hooliganism motivated by religious hatred and sentenced to two years in prison.
—Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 6 May 2026
But if Shao and others start to see more instances of lightning flying askew, that might motivate theorists to work out those details.
—Quanta Magazine, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for motivate
Cory Lavalette, New York Times, 7 May 2026
Boxing tempts him, the business world motivates him and his role as a promoter excites him.
—Jorge Ebro
may 6, Miami Herald, 6 May 2026
They were convicted of hooliganism motivated by religious hatred and sentenced to two years in prison.
—Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 6 May 2026
But if Shao and others start to see more instances of lightning flying askew, that might motivate theorists to work out those details.
—Quanta Magazine, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for motivate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motivate
Verb
-
Lawyer Steve Oshins told Inside Wealth that QSBS laws and other tax proposals aimed at the wealthy encourage high earners to move to other states.—
Hayley Cuccinello,
CNBC,
8 May 2026
-
This easy London broil recipe relies on a savory marinade with a small amount of baking soda to help tenderize the meat and encourage browning.—
Zaynab Issa,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Araghchi questioned whether the latest military exchange was meant to pressure Iran into a peace deal or the result of someone persuading the president of the United States (POTUS) to extend the conflict.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
9 May 2026
-
Historically, Angelenos didn’t need to be persuaded to ride the train.—
Oren Peleg,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
In the next race, however, the same approach was blocked by the Italians, and Botin was forced to bail out of the start altogether.—
Andrew Rice,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
-
But mostly, the Sparks’ defense activated, forcing 10 Las Vegas turnovers, led by two steals apiece from Atkins and Wheeler to fuel the comeback.—
Marisa Ingemi,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
His frame and traits are enticing.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Office renovations and conversions in Charlotte Post-COVID, office towers have to either entice people to come back to the cubicle or change uses.—
Caitlin McGlade,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That feeling of being seen and understood stayed with her, ultimately inspiring Henson to commit to a career as a nurse and to offer the same reassurance to her own patients.—
Nancy Badertscher,
AJC.com,
7 May 2026
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Kaneda’s core concept that Japan should focus more on quality than overwhelming force would inspire the Yamato and Mushashi in the 1930s.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Coloring helps Kathy with her dementia, calming her anxiety and helping stimulate cognition.—
Janet W. Lee,
NPR,
7 May 2026
-
Lion’s mane stimulates nerve growth factor and neurogenesis, enhances memory, focus, clarity and mood, and chaga mushrooms can enhance physical performance, oxygen utilization and give an endurance boost.—
Ryan Brennan
May 6,
Sacbee.com,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Mejia got Trea Turner to fly out to right, struck out dangerous slugger Kyle Schwarber, and induced Bryce Harper to ground out to second baseman Edouard Julien to secure his second save of the season.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
9 May 2026
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In the fifth inning, Alex Vesia relieved Sheehan and induced a two-on, two-out fly out from Matt Olson, who might be the National League’s most valuable player to date.—
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Motivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motivate. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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