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 Blorian said Sporting’s current last-place standing is motivating and a welcome challenge to bring the club back up. — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026 The administration cast Anthropic — long a backer of government oversight of AI — as ideologically motivated. — Joe Walsh, CBS News, 1 July 2026 The creation of the Miami 21 code was motivated in part by a public outcry over a problem fostered by the previous code — tall towers being built directly next to single-family homes or duplexes. — Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026 Intrinsic rewards, like a sense of accomplishment and camaraderie, can often motivate more than financial incentives. — Robert Hogeboom, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for motivate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for motivate

Verb

Early on, Whalen had encouraged a fruit plate, paired with California cheeses, that never quite took off with customers.

— Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Today’s astro-weather encourages us to be emotionally intelligent without being evasive.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 8 July 2026

Definition of encourage

Verb

None of that history mattered though when Nick Moon put Boise on the scoreboard in the seventh minute and forced club staff to scramble for a new corner flag.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 12 July 2026
Crew members of a container vessel reported damaged near the Strait of Hormuz were forced to abandon ship, the UK Maritime Trade Operations Center said in a separate statement.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 12 July 2026

Definition of force

Verb

The play, which won the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize this year, entices on the page despite seeming overstuffed and curiously decentralized.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Despite rising costs, a number of properties throughout the country are keeping prices affordable to entice thrill-seekers.

— Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026

Definition of entice

Verb

Styles and Swift dated on-and-off until 2013, when their breakup inspired several songs on Swift’s 1989.

— Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 8 July 2026
Richards, who slept with his guitar and kept a tape recorder by his bed in case he got inspired, came up with the riff and refrain virtually in his sleep.

— René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 July 2026

Definition of inspire

Verb

The minerals are absorbed through the skin, boosting circulation and inducing a sweat that drains away the toxins.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 July 2026
Catnip, the euphoria-inducing herb beloved by felines, was known to have insect repellent properties, though it had never been commercialized for that purpose.

— Paige Bruton, semafor.com, 10 July 2026