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 As for the offense overall, Payne agreed that the dustups with the defense helped motivate the offense. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 July 2026 Some of that energy could motivate the Crew, while Miami will be looking to extend its win streak and please the home crowd. — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026 Consider that our discipline to pare back our Procter & Gamble position on Tuesday afternoon proved to be prudent when the Tide maker’s earnings came out earlier Wednesday, sending shares lower (and ultimately motivating our exit of P & G ). — Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 30 July 2026 There are no guarantees, but a caring conversation, genuine curiosity and a willingness to understand what is motivating them may make a difference. — Larry Magid, Mercury News, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for motivate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for motivate

Verb

Our firm’s community association attorneys encourage everyone to visit these sites to learn more about its activities and how to support them.

— Christyne D. Santisteban, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
Michigan relies on supply chains that are heavily integrated with Canada after decades of policies that encouraged reducing bilateral trade barriers.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 2026

Definition of encourage

Verb

The board also voted down a proposal to increase rider fares to generate between $8 million and $12 million after a lengthy discussion and multiple failed amendments aimed at trying to persuade a majority of directors to pass the motion.

— Katie Langford, Denver Post, 29 July 2026
Dr Chris Vas, Associate Professor at the University of Canterbury in southern England, said the EU wants to persuade its manufacturers to go cheaper, the lowest price is more like €15,000 than €10,000.

— Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of persuade

Verb

In the Netherlands and neighboring Germany cargo ships that ply the Rhine and its offshoots have been forced to carry significantly less freight or risk running aground in shallow navigation channels.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
The fire has also forced evacuations at Spokane’s veterans’ hospital, water reclamation facility and waste-to-energy plant, city officials said.

— Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of force

Verb

The book — with its treatment of racial integration as equivalent to the death-penalty federal crime of treason — has inspired numerous acts of racist violence through the years since its publication.

— Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
Terminal 26, a new restaurant in Ponce City Market’s central food hall, is inspired by Thailand’s famous floating markets, where goods are sold from boats and riverbank stalls.

— Henri Hollis, AJC.com, 30 July 2026

Definition of inspire

Verb

In winter, the plant thrives with nighttime temperatures between 40 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit to stimulate spring flowers.

— SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 2 Aug. 2026
These plant pests stimulate the Mexican petunia foliage to grow hairlike portions that form the white patches.

— Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Aug. 2026