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 The whole project of putting pig kidneys in humans is motivated by the fact that there aren’t enough human organs for everyone who needs them. — O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 4 Sep. 2026 This particular agreement has only seemed to motivate Smith, who has new challenges ahead. — Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026 Hill, a former WZUP deejay and radio personality, upstages Martin during a homecoming visit to Detroit, motivating Payne to quit his job to pursue his own career in Hollywood. — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 1 Sep. 2026 Robinson’s defense attorney, Richard Novak, said the state can’t prove what would have motivated the shooting. — Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for motivate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for motivate

Verb

Bunch said that one of his goals in the head role was to encourage Americans to embrace ambiguity and recognize that America is a complicated, multifaceted nation.

— Brittney Melton, NPR, 9 Sep. 2026
The stated purpose would be to encourage more people to fill out the forms without fear of having their privacy violated.

— Bart Jansen, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of encourage

Verb

Bournemouth were profligate, despite scoring through Marcus Tavernier and forcing a Malick Thiaw own goal, with multiple first-half chances wasted.

— Chris Waugh, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
But the truth of it is that Sharaa forced his hand by seizing swathes of the SDF’s territory in a lightning offensive in January.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of force

Verb

The country is one of Europe’s quickest growing AI markets, and major AI and big tech corporations such as Microsoft and TikTok have already pledged billions in investments into Finland, enticed by its growing role in Europe’s AI economy.

— Joshua Hong, Fortune, 10 Sep. 2026
Rashford enticed the Ukrainian, then drove past him on the outside, further beating Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in the area, forcing James Tarkowski to slide in to concede a corner.

— Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of entice

Verb

These feelings of awe inspired by sequoia trees led to a material change in environmental policy.

— Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026
In 2000, the Millennium Prize Problems was established to inspire work towards solving these complex problems, offering a $1 million prize for the first correct solution to each problem.

— Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of inspire

Verb

Opposition leaders say Meloni’s government has yet to find concrete ways to stimulate long-term economic growth beyond just controlling public debt and state deficits.

— Silvia Stellacci, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Once inside the brain, the nanoparticles would be controlled—to stimulate neurons in specific areas of the brain or to read neuron activity—through a specialized cap or headset containing magnetic coils.

— Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of stimulate

Verb

Certain shapes induce certain outcomes depending on the handedness of the pitcher and the hitter.

— Eno Sarris, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026
Mulligan should win for her darkly funny, cringe-inducing turn, though Snook, Pidgeon and sentimental favorite Field are all in play too.

— Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026