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
Active learning also allows students to follow their own curiosity, which motivates them to learn and remember concepts.
—
Shelley Mitchell, The Conversation, 23 Apr. 2026
Amid all their attacks and counter-attacks, what motivates each aggrieved party comes to light, painting a rich, empathetic portrait of lives lived under immense pressure — and the illogical outlets that sometimes become our only means of relief.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2026
Reflecting on what motivates continued engagement, Wilbur offers a perspective grounded in impact rather than immediacy.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2026
Colorado’s quest for another Stanley Cup has led the Avs to trade away many prospects and draft picks, which both motivates the Avs to be aggressive in the UDFA market and makes the franchise an attractive landing spot, as evidenced by the success of some of their signings.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 11 Apr. 2026
Shaun’s content still motivates, but it is now complemented by morning cuddle photos.
—Sierra Leone Starks, Parents, 2 Apr. 2026
Not sure if Hafley meant more than an introduction, maybe an in-depth conversation, digging into topics like what motivates a player.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
Ours is not to wonder what motivates him to keep rolling at spooky full speed, but to listen to what the man sings, and to hope to keep winning the lottery.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 28 Mar. 2026
Know that a leader is someone who listens well and who motivates others toward greatness.
—Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2026
Shelley Mitchell, The Conversation, 23 Apr. 2026
Amid all their attacks and counter-attacks, what motivates each aggrieved party comes to light, painting a rich, empathetic portrait of lives lived under immense pressure — and the illogical outlets that sometimes become our only means of relief.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2026
Reflecting on what motivates continued engagement, Wilbur offers a perspective grounded in impact rather than immediacy.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2026
Colorado’s quest for another Stanley Cup has led the Avs to trade away many prospects and draft picks, which both motivates the Avs to be aggressive in the UDFA market and makes the franchise an attractive landing spot, as evidenced by the success of some of their signings.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 11 Apr. 2026
Shaun’s content still motivates, but it is now complemented by morning cuddle photos.
—Sierra Leone Starks, Parents, 2 Apr. 2026
Not sure if Hafley meant more than an introduction, maybe an in-depth conversation, digging into topics like what motivates a player.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
Ours is not to wonder what motivates him to keep rolling at spooky full speed, but to listen to what the man sings, and to hope to keep winning the lottery.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 28 Mar. 2026
Know that a leader is someone who listens well and who motivates others toward greatness.
—Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motivates
Verb
-
The Sustainable Ihram Initiative also complements other efforts by the fashion commission, such as the Swap Shop program, which encourages consumers to exchange unwanted clothes rather than discarding them.—
FMG Studios,
Footwear News,
1 May 2026
-
Mouth tape encourages nasal breathing and may reduce snoring.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Borage An annual herb with bright bluish-purple flowers, borage entices important insects to the garden.—
Lauren David,
Martha Stewart,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Loot boxes in the crosshairs James alleges Valve entices players to pay for a chance to win a rare virtual item, and that those rare items can be traded for real money in accordance with their rarity.—
Jesse Zanger,
CBS News,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In response, California Coast Credit Union had asked the court to issue an injunction, a legal ruling that forces an action, for the merger to push ahead against the objections of SDCCU.—
Roxana Popescu,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 May 2026
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According to Healthline, excess sugar in the bloodstream forces the kidneys to work overtime trying to reabsorb glucose.—
Samantha Agate,
Sacbee.com,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Whale lusts after a hunky gardener (Brendan Fraser) and persuades him to pose for a few sketches; Julian, though bisexual, expresses no such interest in Lori, and any art-making turns out to be a gratifyingly mutual endeavor.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
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The confidence heuristic explains why certainty persuades us.—
Nick Dothée,
The Atlantic,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But what inspires me is the idea of putting something beautiful into the world.—
James Manso,
Footwear News,
28 Apr. 2026
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So my hope is that at least a single candidate ups their game and comes to voters with not just attacks, but something that inspires, something that sets them apart.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Pruning stimulates new growth, and those new leaves are leaf miners’ favorite, so the problem will only get worse.—
Nan Sterman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 May 2026
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Pedunculagin stimulates the release of enzymes that trigger NO synthesis, thereby reducing blood pressure as NO levels increase.—
MD Published,
Verywell Health,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The magnet induces the magnetic flux change needed to initiate the plasma and maintain the plasma current during the burn time.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Apr. 2026
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Many of the aforementioned artists have stayed, and something about the island induces curious projects.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But the question of what is true or not is futile, even if Calle deliberately provokes this curiosity.—
Elisa Wouk Almino
Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
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The flurry of imagery provokes a surreal sort of whiplash.—
Kyle Chayka,
New Yorker,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Motivates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motivates. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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