Thesaurus

motivate

verb

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Synonyms & Antonyms of motivate

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.

Synonyms & Near Synonyms for motivate

arouse,
encourage,
excite,
fire (up),
impassion,
incite,
instigate,
move,
pique,
provoke,
rev (up),
spark,
spur,
stimulate,
stir

activate,
animate,
drive,
energize,
galvanize,
induce,
inspire,
key (up),
motive,
propel,
pump up,
quicken,
set off,
vitalize

impel,
force

allure,
bait,
beguile,
bribe,
entice,
lead on,
lure,
seduce,
tempt

goad,
persuade

fan,
ignite,
inflame
(also enflame),
kindle,
trigger

abet,
ferment,
foment,
raise,
whip (up)

aggravate,
annoy,
bother,
exasperate,
gall,
get,
irritate,
vex

anger,
enrage,
madden,
upset

Antonyms & Near Antonyms for motivate

calm,
soothe,
subdue,
tranquilize
(also tranquillize)

appease,
mollify,
pacify,
placate

Learn More About motivate

Thesaurus Entries Near motivate

motion sickness

motivate

motivated

Cite this Entry

“Motivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motivate. Accessed 3 Oct. 2022.

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Thesaurus

motivate

Synonyms & Antonyms of motivate

Learn More About motivate

The first known use of motivate was in 1836

Thesaurus Entries Near motivate

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Odd Habits and Quirks