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
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
Well, nobody motivates core Democratic voters like this president.
—NBC news, 2 Nov. 2025
That’s the guiding principle that motivates the work and advocacy of Nir Barzilai, a longevity researcher and president of the Academy for Health & Lifespan Research.
—Dominique Mosbergen, Time, 31 Oct. 2025
He was asked what motivates him.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 21 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
And Thomas said CNIOs need to speak the language and understand what motivates the staff.
—Lauren Giella
claire Dodds, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025
Well, nobody motivates core Democratic voters like this president.
—NBC news, 2 Nov. 2025
That’s the guiding principle that motivates the work and advocacy of Nir Barzilai, a longevity researcher and president of the Academy for Health & Lifespan Research.
—Dominique Mosbergen, Time, 31 Oct. 2025
He was asked what motivates him.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 21 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
And Thomas said CNIOs need to speak the language and understand what motivates the staff.
—Lauren Giella
claire Dodds, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motivates
Verb
-
Besides the gleaming blue hull, the 60-footer has an open layout that encourages sociability while promoting privacy in areas like the sunbed at the stern or foredeck lounge.—
Michael Verdon,
Robb Report,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Each troll has a name and a story that encourages nature exploration and ultimately finding ways to protect the earth.—
Khadejeh Nikouyeh,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Nov. 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
-
On the other hand, statins lower LDL cholesterol by blocking an enzyme in the liver, which then forces the liver to remove more LDL cholesterol from the body.—
Jacqueline Howard,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Nonetheless, Williams’ presence on the field alone forces LSU’s defense to account for him at all times due to his big-play ability.—
Cole Sullivan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
In the final confrontation, Tea persuades Miran to surrender, arguing that doing so will protect his family.—
Isabella Wandermurem,
Time,
27 Oct. 2025
-
The poet titillates, commands by images—and only thus persuades.—
Elaine L. Wang
September 11,
Literary Hub,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
And then that usually inspires another melody and other parts of the song.—
Julyssa Lopez,
Rolling Stone,
6 Nov. 2025
-
What, these days, inspires you to hit the gym or work hard or pursue success in other ways?—
Scott Feinberg,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Mercury entering Sagittarius today stimulates your creative faculties.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
29 Oct. 2025
-
The low-level, external electrical charge stimulates the body’s internal repair mechanism.—
Scott Lafee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This induces what’s known as a state of tonic immobility, where the shark loses awareness of its surroundings, essentially becoming paralyzed.—
Outside,
Outside,
3 Nov. 2025
-
For example, obesity induces chronic fat inflammation, which subsequently leads to systemic inflammation and perturbs the normal systemic metabolism.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Mercury in Sagittarius provokes your mind to venture into uncharted territory.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Blue Film provokes and captivates in equal measure, with the naked honesty of a black box off-off-Broadway play.—
Jourdain Searles,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Motivates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motivates. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
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