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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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
ABC News, 29 Apr. 2026
LeVota also cited campaign finance as a factor motivating his exit from the race.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2026
Bravo is fortunate he’s seen Dodger broadcasts mentioning Koufax at the stadium and on TV, motivating him to learn more, which led to seeing his windup on YouTube.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Republicans, for instance, may try to paint Democrats as obstructionist, potentially motivating a voter backlash against the Democratic Party in the midterm elections.
—The Conversation, 22 Apr. 2026
Values act as both a compass and a driving force, pointing you toward the right goals and motivating you to pursue them.
—Harvard Business Review, 22 Apr. 2026
To an uncritical eye, the messages might have seemed like a harmless attempt at motivating a team.
—Hettie O'Brien, The Dial, 21 Apr. 2026
His positivity is an asset in motivating others, even as practicality motivates him.
—Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 17 Apr. 2026
Motivated Mars activates your 6th House of Well-being as of today, motivating you to reconfigure routines and direct your formidable focus toward the tasks that truly count.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
For some among the new generation of answering their country's call to arms, a bitter lesson from Dutch history is motivating them.
—ABC News, 29 Apr. 2026
LeVota also cited campaign finance as a factor motivating his exit from the race.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2026
Bravo is fortunate he’s seen Dodger broadcasts mentioning Koufax at the stadium and on TV, motivating him to learn more, which led to seeing his windup on YouTube.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Republicans, for instance, may try to paint Democrats as obstructionist, potentially motivating a voter backlash against the Democratic Party in the midterm elections.
—The Conversation, 22 Apr. 2026
Values act as both a compass and a driving force, pointing you toward the right goals and motivating you to pursue them.
—Harvard Business Review, 22 Apr. 2026
To an uncritical eye, the messages might have seemed like a harmless attempt at motivating a team.
—Hettie O'Brien, The Dial, 21 Apr. 2026
His positivity is an asset in motivating others, even as practicality motivates him.
—Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 17 Apr. 2026
Motivated Mars activates your 6th House of Well-being as of today, motivating you to reconfigure routines and direct your formidable focus toward the tasks that truly count.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 9 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motivating
Adjective
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Their earliest and biggest target has been Dax, a 32-year-old janitor-turned-rapper from Canada who spits overwrought motivational lyrics over rudimentary beats.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
8 May 2026
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But his behind-the-scenes help is as important to the team’s success as any in-game adjustment or fiery motivational speech.—
Cory Lavalette,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Iranian officials are encouraging the population to consume less electricity and gas, as a US blockade has interrupted the flow of shipments to Iran.—
Mitchell McCluskey,
CNN Money,
9 May 2026
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Now there’s emphasis on offense, teaching it and coaching it and encouraging it.—
Fluto Shinzawa,
New York Times,
9 May 2026
Verb
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The windshield on a Southwest Airlines flight cracked May 11, forcing the plane to make an emergency landing in Oklahoma, federal aviation officials said.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
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As the village erupts into full-scale panic, the emergency evolves into a darker mystery, forcing the cop to confront a seemingly impossible reality.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
12 May 2026
Adjective
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The stories featured in this documentary are emotional and inspiring.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
13 May 2026
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The emergence of Dorion as a serious contender for the top job last week, and the organization immediately seeming to fold in the face of significant public outcry and criticism, wasn’t exactly confidence-inspiring.—
Thomas Drance,
New York Times,
12 May 2026
Verb
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The potential free-agency solutions don’t seem enticing at this point, either.—
Jesse Newell,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
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Their 2022 Pinot Noir has enticing aromas of cherry cola, cinnamon, and red raspberry that lead to delicious flavors of cherry, raspberry, cranberry, and brown baking spices.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Araghchi questioned whether the latest military exchange was meant to pressure Iran into a peace deal or the result of someone persuading the president of the United States (POTUS) to extend the conflict.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
9 May 2026
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Mitchell’s greatest achievement was persuading Congress that effects — not intent — must be the legal standard, because intent can always be disguised.—
Alvin C. Hathaway Sr,
Baltimore Sun,
4 May 2026
Verb
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Between networking wins, social media visibility and unexpected opportunities, this month feels fast-moving and intellectually stimulating in the best way.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
11 May 2026
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For the central South American country, the program offers a pathway to driving global investment and stimulating the local economy.—
Brittany Chang,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Motivating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motivating. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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