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.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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 stabilization of apparel inventories after a period of drawdown may help motivate orders, but the cost of sourcing increased with tariffs and could prove an offsetting factor.
—
Sj Guest Editorial, Sourcing Journal, 26 Sep. 2025
Incidents were categorized as left-wing if they were motivated by a number of factors, including resistance to capitalism, support for LGBTQ rights, black nationalism and anti-fascist rhetoric.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 26 Sep. 2025
Jesus talks a big game about how he’s motivated by Antonio’s exit and wants to get revenge against Veejay.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
That gives me a great sense of satisfaction, keeps me mentally and physically active, and motivates me to keep on keeping on.
—Jan Wagner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for motivate
Sj Guest Editorial, Sourcing Journal, 26 Sep. 2025
Incidents were categorized as left-wing if they were motivated by a number of factors, including resistance to capitalism, support for LGBTQ rights, black nationalism and anti-fascist rhetoric.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 26 Sep. 2025
Jesus talks a big game about how he’s motivated by Antonio’s exit and wants to get revenge against Veejay.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
That gives me a great sense of satisfaction, keeps me mentally and physically active, and motivates me to keep on keeping on.
—Jan Wagner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for motivate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motivate
Verb
-
Attendees left the event with tourniquets or trauma bandages and were encouraged to reach out to Bound Tree Medical to purchase additional supplies for their congregations.—
Nour Rahal,
Freep.com,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Deadheading encourages chocolate cosmos plants to produce more flower buds, keeping plants productive.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Instead, Pittsburgh’s defense rested on the idea that the taxes equal out when considering the school-district tax—a point, as explained above, that failed to persuade the judges who have presided over this litigation.—
Robert Raiola,
Sportico.com,
27 Sep. 2025
-
Following two successful seasons at Ole Miss, Lane weighed the possibility of taking another head coaching job, but Landry persuaded him to stay.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The event comes as the government is careening toward a potential shutdown that could force some 2 million troops to work without pay if a spending bill doesn't pass Congress by midnight Wednesday.—
Anne Flaherty,
ABC News,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Modern inkjets, including ink tank printers, will rarely force you to spend time cleaning with manual commands.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The possibilities are enticing because of how both Mara and Johnson grade out defensively.—
CJ Moore,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
-
The 6-foot-4, 260-pound outside linebacker has a draft pedigree that could entice other squads.—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The show gave local independent musicians exposure on its soundtrack, increased the popularity of venues like The Bluebird Cafe, inspired cast tours and years later, sparked reunion tours.—
Audrey Gibbs,
Nashville Tennessean,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Trailers showing Erivo in full green-skinned Elphaba costume and Grande decked out in a sparkly pink G(a)linda gown have surely inspired new and old fans alike.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
And that will stimulate some new growth.—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
27 Sep. 2025
-
This influx is stimulating employment, raising consumption and gradually transforming western China into a new highland for fashion and lifestyle brands.—
Li Jun,
Footwear News,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In particular, TikTokers have posted about the effects of magnesium lotion, oils and sprays to induce sleepiness when used on the bottoms of the feet.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
28 Sep. 2025
-
But right-hander Spencer Bivens recorded a strikeout and induced a foul pop with the bases loaded, and third baseman Matt Chapman fell into the netting while catching it to preserve a 4-3 victory over the Colorado Rockies.—
Andrew Baggarly,
New York Times,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Motivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motivate. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share