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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Recent Examples of motivate
Smith says there is no certainty as to when families will receive the benefits after the shutdown ends, but in the past states motivated to get benefits flowing did so within a matter of days.
—
Brittney Melton, NPR, 10 Nov. 2025
Prediction With more firepower and the home crowd motivating TCU, the Horned Frogs start their four-game gauntlet with a 31-17 win over Iowa State, setting up a massive showdown next week at BYU.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Nov. 2025
This initial signal has reinforced his confidence in the framework and motivated him to share it more broadly as a potential resource for others exploring similar paths.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
One unexpected benefit, several parents said, is the bike bus motivates children to get up and out the door more quickly on Friday mornings.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for motivate
Brittney Melton, NPR, 10 Nov. 2025
Prediction With more firepower and the home crowd motivating TCU, the Horned Frogs start their four-game gauntlet with a 31-17 win over Iowa State, setting up a massive showdown next week at BYU.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Nov. 2025
This initial signal has reinforced his confidence in the framework and motivated him to share it more broadly as a potential resource for others exploring similar paths.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
One unexpected benefit, several parents said, is the bike bus motivates children to get up and out the door more quickly on Friday mornings.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for motivate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motivate
Verb
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Her administration has encouraged the siting of data centers in Michigan through sales and use tax exemptions.—
Keith Matheny,
Freep.com,
7 Nov. 2025
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For example, toddlers will benefit from toys that encourage them to build gross motor skills and work on early speech and literacy skills.—
Anja Webb,
Parents,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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For their part, Samuel Adams and Paul Revere each worked hard to persuade Irishmen, Hessians, Indigenous people, and former slaves to defect to the patriot side.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
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The Running Point actress was spotted shopping for holiday presents last December with a hands-free bag strapped across her body, and just one 12-second TikTok clip persuaded us to dole out some change on a purse that’s just like hers.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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His rule finally came to an end in 1998 after the Asian financial crisis threw the country into economic turmoil, prompting widespread protests and forcing Suharto to resign – one of the last people power movements to sweep Southeast Asia and replace a Cold War-era autocrat with democracy.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
11 Nov. 2025
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The last of those darts was fired (initially on X) by Gavin Newsom, the governor of California, who is a resistance darling of the moment after forcing through new, Democrat-friendly congressional maps in his state last week.—
Jon Allsop,
New Yorker,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Even less thorny issues on Capitol Hill don’t seem to be enticing the president these days.—
Eleanor Mueller,
semafor.com,
12 Nov. 2025
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If the easy ticket system and 75 miles of ski terrain here aren't enough to entice you, perhaps the resort's appointment as the host of the 2026 Winter Olympics will.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Nicole said her costume was actually inspired by a childhood friend, ironically named Taylor.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
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The reality star has been studying through an apprenticeship program in California and was inspired to pursue a career in the legal field, focusing on criminal justice reform.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Cold showers stimulate the vagus nerve, reduce inflammation, and activate parts of the brain that can calm the body after long exposure.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
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The implication was that there could be an easily accessible, off-the-shelf shot capable of stimulating the immune system to fight cancer.—
Lisa Jarvis,
Twin Cities,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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According to the memo, Yoon, former defense minister Kim Yong-hyun and former military intelligence chief Yeo In-hyung planned to induce a North Korean attack against the South, the spokesperson, Park Ji-young, said.—
Reuters 2 hr ago,
CNN Money,
10 Nov. 2025
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Proving that there’s nothing MAGA love like overkill, there’s also whole lot of George Washington (including a historically daft 2010 Dodge Challenger ad) in the almost hangover inducing 40-second spot.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
9 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Motivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motivate. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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