as in motivational
serving or likely to arouse action or activity
The biggest motivating factor behind her decision to change jobs was the pay increase. The positive feedback he received was very motivating.
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Dissimilar Words
as in encouraging
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 motivating
Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Feb. 2026
The pressure to keep exile concealed—to keep it invisible—mounts when disclosing the reasons motivating the journey would put travelers at risk.
—Literary Hub, 18 Feb. 2026
Student organizer Josephine Sun said her involvement was inspired by seeing her own grandparents live far away and experience isolation, motivating her to work with local seniors to build meaningful connections.
—Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2026
Achieving better health is the motivating factor to get physically active for her 77-year-old neighbor who had a heart attack in his late 60s.
—Leying Tang, CNN Money, 18 Feb. 2026
And both point to profits, not the public good, as the real factor motivating the boom.
—Mary Ellen Klas, Twin Cities, 15 Feb. 2026
There are motivating factors at play that make DiGregorio and Haugsjaa continue this treacherous and invigorating pursuit.
—Greg Dudek, Boston Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
Good’s been motivating her patients for the last four decades.
—C. R. Walker, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
Here's how fear and empowerment are motivating thousands of Indy students to protest ICE.
—Joe Mutascio, IndyStar, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
Decluttering your home may not be motivating on its own, but supporting charitable organizations, reducing landfill waste, and helping others find affordable essentials by donating to thrift stores often does the trick.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Feb. 2026
The pressure to keep exile concealed—to keep it invisible—mounts when disclosing the reasons motivating the journey would put travelers at risk.
—Literary Hub, 18 Feb. 2026
Student organizer Josephine Sun said her involvement was inspired by seeing her own grandparents live far away and experience isolation, motivating her to work with local seniors to build meaningful connections.
—Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2026
Achieving better health is the motivating factor to get physically active for her 77-year-old neighbor who had a heart attack in his late 60s.
—Leying Tang, CNN Money, 18 Feb. 2026
And both point to profits, not the public good, as the real factor motivating the boom.
—Mary Ellen Klas, Twin Cities, 15 Feb. 2026
There are motivating factors at play that make DiGregorio and Haugsjaa continue this treacherous and invigorating pursuit.
—Greg Dudek, Boston Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
Good’s been motivating her patients for the last four decades.
—C. R. Walker, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
Here's how fear and empowerment are motivating thousands of Indy students to protest ICE.
—Joe Mutascio, IndyStar, 5 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motivating
Adjective
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Robbins broke out as a motivational speaker sensation in the mid-90’s, parlaying his program into transformational programs, immersive experiences and executive education.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
11 Feb. 2026
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But there was one moment during the performance that stuck with me, when Bad Bunny gave an impassioned motivational speech in Spanish, urging the audience to recognize their worth.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Buying local products, providing local and state funding sources, supporting agricultural preservation programs, encouraging lawmakers to prioritize the importance of farming and supporting local agriculture education programs are partial solutions.—
Joe Dymek,
Baltimore Sun,
15 Feb. 2026
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Your 4th House of Home becomes a deep well as the nurturing Moon conjoins unearthing Pluto there, encouraging you to cleanse closets and clear emotional dust.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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His removal would trigger yet another transition, forcing the legislature to appoint a new leader and marking a volatile new chapter in Peruvian politics just two months before national elections.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Feb. 2026
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There’s a delectable tension between its chintziness and its opulence, forcing the mind to color in the spaces of its grand visages.—
Sam Goldner,
Pitchfork,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Talking about death can be educational, empowering and inspiring.—
Ut Community Press,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
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How inspiring for our young learners to see, in looking at Joe McKendry’s exquisite tableau, faces that reflect their own.—
The Atlantic,
The Atlantic,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Gage’s Robert is also no slouch in the come-on department, gushing over Jack’s appearance and enticing him by wearing women’s lingerie and doing you don’t want to know what else.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Feb. 2026
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There aren’t exactly enticing free-agent options at the position, either, so maybe general manager Brian Gutekunst uses his second-round pick on a cornerback and develops him behind Nixon and Carrington Valentine for now.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Nationally, Jackson was arrested several times in 2021 during protests aimed at persuading Congress to end the federal legislative filibuster and pass voting rights legislation.—
Bob Goldsborough,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
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On July 27, 1942, Blanchardon had no trouble persuading the delegates of the municipal council of Cannes to sign the resolution.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Your 3rd House of Communication receives a stimulating Solar Eclipse, creating a fresh channel for neighborhood ties and the everyday conversations that keep life moving.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
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Key Takeaways Dandelion tea helps digestion and gut health by protecting liver health, stimulating bile production, and supporting a healthy microbiome (community of microbes in the gut).—
Cory Martin,
Verywell Health,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Motivating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motivating. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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