MOTIVATES Synonyms: 74 Similar and Opposite Words

motivates

verb

present tense third-person singular of motivate

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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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 motivates Despite his training in fine dining, what motivates him is the warmth and affection of home cooking. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2026 For restaurant operators, the findings offer insight into how comfortable solo diners feel and what motivates their visits. — Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Oct. 2026 Review a prospect’s past giving, volunteer work, board memberships and public interests to understand what truly motivates them. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026 The memory both haunts and motivates Pugh’s Cathy throughout the series. — Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 25 Sep. 2026 In Quadlin and Rudel’s article, a student might become interested in the idea of student debt as either a responsibility that motivates them or a liability that constrains them. — Saurabh Anand, JSTOR Daily, 24 Sep. 2026 And there is nothing that motivates politicians, primarily members of Congress more, than hearing firsthand face-to-face concerns from their constituents in their districts. — Dana Taylor, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2026 Kelce also had high praise for Chiefs fans and said the energy inside Arrowhead Stadium is what motivates him during practices. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 16 Sep. 2026 That could change if the Emmy wins give the process new momentum and motivates all sides to find a winning series format. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for motivates

Verb

External consultants have helped redesign how the bank encourages people to disclose, simplifying the process and building trust that the information won’t be used against them.

— Sam Birchall, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
Is there something unique about fraternities that encourages this kind of behavior?

— Richard Hall, Time, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of encourages

Verb

Turkey’s growing hair transplant and restoration industry in particular entices people with easy-to-digest all-inclusive packages advertised on their websites, online placements, and social media.

— Elizabeth Gulino, Allure, 23 Sep. 2026
The high-concept thriller stars Valeria Bruni Tedeschi as a demonic character called The Stranger, who entices a young mother played by Jasmine Trinca into forging a Faustian pact.

— Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of entices

Verb

The new series picks up after Korra’s actions, which inadvertently lead to an apocalypse that forces humanity to take refuge in the titular Havens, all of which have visually distinct identities.

— Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026
This constraint saves me from perfectionism and forces me to share my work.

— Ben Meer, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of forces

Verb

Text-message codes can be vulnerable when an attacker persuades a mobile carrier to transfer a victim’s number to the attacker’s phone.

— Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026
Mark is reluctant to put up their impressive Westside home as loan collateral, but Sam persuades him that the risk will pay off and the election is all but sewn up.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of persuades

Verb

There is a near-identical robot to be found at Jalsa, an Indian restaurant in my Brooklyn neighborhood, where its presence inspires the same frisson of novelty as a hands-off steering wheel.

— Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
This inspires Other Mommy to gruesomely kill Frank in front of Bela, including blowing his head up in an outrageous explosion of blood.

— William Earl, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of inspires

Verb

Observation generates hypotheses; hypotheses lead to anatomical investigation; anatomy stimulates physiological questions; physiology eventually produces clinical trials.

— Subramaniam C. Krishnan, STAT, 28 Sep. 2026
The intimate spa offers a number of different treatments and beauty rituals, but the standout one is Oro di Amalfi, an exclusive massage with natural lemon oils that relaxes and stimulates the chakras.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of stimulates

Verb

While the Blue Demon induces perceptual disorientation, the Rooster privileges visual attention and the architectural discipline of gaze.

— Jacqueline Ortoleva, Scientific American, 3 Oct. 2026
The drug induces a powerful loss of personal identity and a brief but total dissolution of time and space.

— Ryan Sullivan, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of induces

Verb

Another question, says Professor Trotti at Ithaca College, is whether a public execution portrays strength or provokes horror.

— Patrik Jonsson, Christian Science Monitor, 10 Oct. 2026
In deceptively plain diction, the hurdle of one love relationship provokes an exploration of desire and belonging.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of provokes

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“Motivates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motivates. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of motivates

verb

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