as in encourages
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 motivates
Ask what motivates you to network in the first place.
—
Sarah Maokosy, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2025
What motivates your entrepreneurial drive today?
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 29 Sep. 2025
That gives me a great sense of satisfaction, keeps me mentally and physically active, and motivates me to keep on keeping on.
—Jan Wagner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Sep. 2025
This figure motivates Butrich but also overwhelms her.
—Sabrina Weiss, The Dial, 23 Sep. 2025
My love for love and support from the people around me [motivates me].
—Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
And Thomas said CNIOs need to speak the language and understand what motivates the staff.
—Lauren Giella
claire Dodds, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Whatever motivates these acts, the fault and the responsibility lie with the perpetrator.
—ABC News, 14 Sep. 2025
The film is based on the 1963 Akira Kurosawa film High and Low, which centers on an executive whose sleek, modern home at the top of a bluff in Yokohama is such a contrast to the slums below that its architecture motivates the film’s central crime.
—Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 4 Sep. 2025
Sarah Maokosy, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2025
What motivates your entrepreneurial drive today?
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 29 Sep. 2025
That gives me a great sense of satisfaction, keeps me mentally and physically active, and motivates me to keep on keeping on.
—Jan Wagner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Sep. 2025
This figure motivates Butrich but also overwhelms her.
—Sabrina Weiss, The Dial, 23 Sep. 2025
My love for love and support from the people around me [motivates me].
—Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
And Thomas said CNIOs need to speak the language and understand what motivates the staff.
—Lauren Giella
claire Dodds, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Whatever motivates these acts, the fault and the responsibility lie with the perpetrator.
—ABC News, 14 Sep. 2025
The film is based on the 1963 Akira Kurosawa film High and Low, which centers on an executive whose sleek, modern home at the top of a bluff in Yokohama is such a contrast to the slums below that its architecture motivates the film’s central crime.
—Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 4 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motivates
Verb
-
Eating seasonally encourages a more varied diet that can support overall health and help the body adapt to seasonal changes.—
Stephanie Brown,
Verywell Health,
10 Oct. 2025
-
The sheriff’s office advises parents to check children’s backpacks and encourages children to speak up to their teachers.—
Julia Marnin,
Miami Herald,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
With showy wine-red blossoms that perfume the garden with the distinctive aromas of chocolate and vanilla from mid-summer through fall, chocolate cosmos entices butterflies and curious gardeners alike.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The structure is illustrated below, with one player positioned on the byline and another level with the penalty area to form a triangle that entices opponents out to defend.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Assuming that forces an honor, finesse the six on the second.—
Deb Harvell,
Arkansas Online,
12 Oct. 2025
-
This is the type of loss that forces a team to take a long look in the mirror.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The poet titillates, commands by images—and only thus persuades.—
Elaine L. Wang
September 11,
Literary Hub,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Cherry persuades Harriet to publicly expose Laura, to talk to journalists and manufacture a viral story.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
That type of mindset commands respect and inspires confidence inside Seattle’s locker room, particularly when paired with a willingness to battle in the trenches.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
-
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Eve Lu,
Scientific American,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Castor oil contains something called ricinoleic acid, which stimulates smooth muscle (the small and large intestines each contain multiple layers) and can mimic the effects of a laxative.—
Morgan Fargo,
Vogue,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Nostalgia stimulates positive emotional experiences, as well as improving an individual's self-esteem.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Peralta induces groundballs at a higher rate (61%) than all but six other qualifying relievers.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Sep. 2025
-
At one point, his inner monologue nearly induces him to reach out to pet a co-worker, David, in the middle of their conversation.—
Jeremy Gordon,
The Atlantic,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Through her restraint, Roberts provokes in us some semblance of empathy for her character – in a movie where everyone else is basically monstrous.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Every action provokes a reaction.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Motivates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motivates. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
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