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 Simply put, recognition motivates team members to finish strong. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 5 Nov. 2026 The statement did not suggest either incident was politically motivated, and Meta is not bound by it. — Molly A. Wallace, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2026 Not that long ago, RadarOnline suggested that the couple’s UK move was financially motivated. — Stylecaster Editors, StyleCaster, 4 Nov. 2026 Yolanda King says issues including the cost of living, gun violence, homelessness, and attacks on voting rights are what motivated her to get out to the polls. — Dan Raby, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for motivate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for motivate

Verb

In a statement, Gaspar said he was encouraged by the early results and the momentum behind his campaign.

— Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
The company said the release is intended to encourage other researchers to build on the work and improve the technology.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of encourage

Verb

And Michael was obviously the most on my case, and there was no persuading him otherwise.

— Ellise Shafer, Variety, 31 Oct. 2026
In 2020, Ben Motal aptly persuaded the Court of Appeals that the FOIA's right to copy records includes photographing them, after Little Rock incredibly barred him from snapping a picture of an accident report.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of persuade

Verb

Unreleased | Getty Images A spate of bomb threats against passenger flights has forced diversions, emergency landings and military escorts across European airspace this week, stoking fear among passengers and heaping pressure on airlines.

— Jenni Reid, CNBC, 7 Nov. 2026
The abuse included shooting him with a BB gun, burning his genitals and forcing him to eat cat feces.

— Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of force

Verb

Once the victim engages in a back-and-forth, a supervisor experienced in emotional manipulation takes over to build a relationship and entice the victim to hand over their money.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2026
Only a handful of new acts a year develop with the profile and following to entice that kind of spending on physical product from their fans, but there’s no shortage of such acts to be found in the past.

— Eric Renner Brown, Billboard, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of entice

Verb

The idea was inspired by birds, which often hop from place to place instead of constantly flying, saving them a lot of energy.

— Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 4 Nov. 2026
It’s been three years since Christine and the Queens shared his last proper solo album, a 20-song record inspired by Angels in America.

— Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of inspire

Verb

However, understanding how brain activity differs between healthy aging and neurodegeneration could help researchers test future treatments, including techniques that stimulate the brain without surgery.

— Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Electrodes closer to the forehead stimulate a brain region called the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, associated with mood regulation (for example, calming anxiety).

— IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of stimulate

Verb

As Cardsmiths tells it, the defendants have, in bad faith, tried to induce retailers to breach their contracts with Cardsmiths by threatening to sue and demanding accountings of revenue generated from Cardsmiths’ products.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Where most garage rock is designed to punch you in the gut, Twisted Teens’ songs seep into your bloodstream, tugging at the heartstrings while occasionally inducing hallucinations.

— Stuart Berman, Pitchfork, 5 Nov. 2026