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
In a broader reflection on his career evolution, Johnson explained what motivates him now.
—
Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 13 June 2026
Kim said his father Albert also motivates him on the course and academically as a straight-A student.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 12 June 2026
This is the critical question that motivates hours of Pinterest perusing.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 10 June 2026
What motivates you to get up in the morning?
—Christopher Kaufman, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Understanding the financial spiral that state receivership brings in the event of insolvency motivates me.
—Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards, Mercury News, 26 May 2026
Studies have shown that people with HSAs tend to spend less on healthcare, and such control motivates consumers to demand price transparency and shop for the best value.
—Deborah Autor, Boston Herald, 25 May 2026
Boxing tempts him, the business world motivates him and his role as a promoter excites him.
—Jorge Ebro
may 6, Miami Herald, 6 May 2026
Her determination to win the spirit's praise and to attain his immense gifts motivates her to achieve the ultimate dominant position.
—Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 3 May 2026
Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 13 June 2026
Kim said his father Albert also motivates him on the course and academically as a straight-A student.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 12 June 2026
This is the critical question that motivates hours of Pinterest perusing.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 10 June 2026
What motivates you to get up in the morning?
—Christopher Kaufman, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Understanding the financial spiral that state receivership brings in the event of insolvency motivates me.
—Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards, Mercury News, 26 May 2026
Studies have shown that people with HSAs tend to spend less on healthcare, and such control motivates consumers to demand price transparency and shop for the best value.
—Deborah Autor, Boston Herald, 25 May 2026
Boxing tempts him, the business world motivates him and his role as a promoter excites him.
—Jorge Ebro
may 6, Miami Herald, 6 May 2026
Her determination to win the spirit's praise and to attain his immense gifts motivates her to achieve the ultimate dominant position.
—Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 3 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motivates
Verb
-
The flyer encourages students to celebrate the end of the school year after finals.—
CBS Baltimore Staff,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
-
When their biggest demonic enemy (Lee Byung-hun) encourages the formation of an equally popular K-pop boy band aimed at stealing the souls of their fans, the trio has to fight harder than ever to hold the demons at bay while keeping their friendship intact.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
Named for the English resort city of Bath, Bath County entices visitors to slow down and connect with nature.—
Madeline Weinfield,
Southern Living,
27 May 2026
-
In a European women’s football ecosystem that still relies predominantly on the beneficence of men’s football, Kang’s bullishness to put her money where her mouth is naturally entices.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
The mother-daughter owners of an Orlando preschool are licensed for 28 children but now enroll only 23 because of an ongoing teacher shortage that forces them to rely on substitutes, some hired through a new Uber-like app.—
Michael Cuglietta,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 June 2026
-
Every awards season produces a movie that forces Hollywood to reconsider its own rules and bias.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
The entity warns a sleepwalking Donnie that the world will end in approximately 28 days and subsequently persuades him to carry out an escalating series of crimes in his community.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 June 2026
-
In an underdeveloped twist, Clark persuades his skeptical assistant, Kat (Lukita Maxwell), and her more gullible boyfriend, Bobby (Finn Bennett), to enter the Backrooms with him, armed with Bobby’s camcorder.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Joseph Howlett,
Scientific American,
16 June 2026
-
Someone who inspires me with her big, beautiful heart.—
Janelle Ash,
FOXNews.com,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
When someone encounters a threat, the sympathetic nervous system stimulates the adrenal glands to release the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol.—
Angela Ryan Lee,
Verywell Health,
11 June 2026
-
Having more muscle is beneficial, since muscle mass stimulates bone formation, Matzkin explained.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
The case drew widespread attention because Dee Dee was suspected of having Munchausen syndrome by proxy, a form of abuse in which a caregiver exaggerates, fabricates or induces illness in someone under their care.—
Jessica Sager,
PEOPLE,
11 June 2026
-
Match play naturally induces fatigue and can disrupt sleep.—
Alan McCall,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
Verb
-
His jealousy provokes an act of betrayal and cruelty.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
18 June 2026
-
Such a statistic often provokes a familiar gamut of responses from those who read it, from shock, disgust and anger to a debilitating sense of helplessness.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Motivates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motivates. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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