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
Csaba Toth, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
For some, of course, the practical benefits are still motivating.
—Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2025
Gen Z's 'treat yourself' mentality For some, money stress isn’t motivating.
—Rachel Barber, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2025
When employees receive recognition, dopamine reinforces the connection between their efforts and positive feedback, motivating continued high performance.
—Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2025
What’s motivating you to do that kind of work?
—Quanta Magazine, 7 Aug. 2025
In addition, Rome had inflicted atrocities and punitive measures upon Jews after insurgencies – further motivating Jesus’ followers to distance themselves.
—Nathanael Andrade, The Conversation, 11 Apr. 2025
Exactly what is motivating firms to fight or bargain is unclear, but observers speculate that those with the most corporate revenue at stake are least likely to stand up to the government.
—Henry Gass, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Apr. 2025
Deuce has become a familiar face at Celtics games, always motivating his dad from the sidelines.
—Nasha Smith, People.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
Many of these leaders have never been equipped with the right tools and expertise to build a psychologically safe and motivating culture where different perspectives and backgrounds can create synergy.
—Csaba Toth, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
For some, of course, the practical benefits are still motivating.
—Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2025
Gen Z's 'treat yourself' mentality For some, money stress isn’t motivating.
—Rachel Barber, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2025
When employees receive recognition, dopamine reinforces the connection between their efforts and positive feedback, motivating continued high performance.
—Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2025
What’s motivating you to do that kind of work?
—Quanta Magazine, 7 Aug. 2025
In addition, Rome had inflicted atrocities and punitive measures upon Jews after insurgencies – further motivating Jesus’ followers to distance themselves.
—Nathanael Andrade, The Conversation, 11 Apr. 2025
Exactly what is motivating firms to fight or bargain is unclear, but observers speculate that those with the most corporate revenue at stake are least likely to stand up to the government.
—Henry Gass, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Apr. 2025
Deuce has become a familiar face at Celtics games, always motivating his dad from the sidelines.
—Nasha Smith, People.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motivating
Adjective
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That’s turned out to not only be a kind leadership style, but a motivational one for a business with global ambitions.—
WWD Staff,
Footwear News,
8 Sep. 2025
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The major winner gave a motivational speech to the team Saturday night, which captain Nathan Smith credited for energizing the squad.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As a practical matter, California making this move will only further inflame the gerrymandering problem, encouraging a further spiral of gerrymandering offsetting Democratic gains in other states.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
7 Sep. 2025
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Walking tours are also gaining prominence, minimizing car use and encouraging a deeper connection with the city.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The legislation will limit repayment options and cap borrowing limits for graduate students, including eliminating Graduate PLUS loans, forcing more students to apply for private loans or reconsider their education options.—
Rachel Hale,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
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The outbreak was forcing a shortage of eggs as well, leading some grocers to restrict how many dozens of eggs consumers could buy per visit.—
Olivia Evans,
Louisville Courier Journal,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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An inspiring 60-second spot from Pampers features an array of wee tykes, all being comforted or protected by the popular Procter & Gamble diaper.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
5 Sep. 2025
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Her character is a peasant who, around the midway mark, gives an inspiring speech to her granddaughter, Afra (Wardi Eilabuni).—
Ritesh Mehta,
IndieWire,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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There are tons of enticing cold and hot drinks.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
9 Sep. 2025
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The company, which started in 1947 in Conecuh County, Alabama, has a potent combination of enticing hickory smoke and a patented blend of seasonings that set their products apart from the usual offerings in the grocery-store meat case.—
Libby Monteith Minor,
Southern Living,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
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But much like Howard Jarvis feared, the tax-and-spend interests have sought to destroy Proposition 13 ever since, most recently by persuading courts to carve loopholes in its constitutional protections and invent new ways for government agencies to raise revenue.—
Jon Coupal,
Oc Register,
7 Sep. 2025
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Elizabeth Stage, whose Oakland hills home barely escaped the deadly 1991 firestorm, and whose work as president of the Oakland FireSafe Council involves persuading residents to adopt Zone 0 measures, said the study would be a helpful, persuasive tool.—
Ethan Baron,
Mercury News,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In this sense, homes offer a more private and personal environment, which can be comfortable and creatively stimulating.—
Megan Williams,
CNN Money,
4 Sep. 2025
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There has been some evidence that stimulating the nervous system in certain ways could make this recovery go faster, and researchers in China wanted to find out if this could be achieved through music.—
Eva Amsen,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Motivating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motivating. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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