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
Davis Winkie, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
And of those looking for jobs, 85% said remote work is the number one factor motivating them to apply for a job, even above salary and benefits and work-life balance.
—Sophie Caldwell, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025
The Prairie Village City Hall project, in part, is motivating the group’s latest slate.
—Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2025
Watching his performance was so motivating and inspiring for me.
—Crystal Bell, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2025
There is nothing remotely motivating to be found in those vacant and echo-y rooms.
—Kate Colby
october 2, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2025
What's motivating it to, say, chase after Hermit [Alex Lawther] the whole time without killing him.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Sep. 2025
What is motivating her to help him?
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2025
His mother allegedly told law enforcement that those changing views did appear to be a motivating factor behind shooting Kirk, who regularly attacked the trans community online and on his podcast.
—Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 20 Sep. 2025
Verb
But Morrow argued that the military faces a massive challenge in motivating part-time troops to truly embrace physical wellness and fitness, citing psychological research.
—Davis Winkie, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
And of those looking for jobs, 85% said remote work is the number one factor motivating them to apply for a job, even above salary and benefits and work-life balance.
—Sophie Caldwell, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025
The Prairie Village City Hall project, in part, is motivating the group’s latest slate.
—Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2025
Watching his performance was so motivating and inspiring for me.
—Crystal Bell, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2025
There is nothing remotely motivating to be found in those vacant and echo-y rooms.
—Kate Colby
october 2, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2025
What's motivating it to, say, chase after Hermit [Alex Lawther] the whole time without killing him.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Sep. 2025
What is motivating her to help him?
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2025
His mother allegedly told law enforcement that those changing views did appear to be a motivating factor behind shooting Kirk, who regularly attacked the trans community online and on his podcast.
—Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 20 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motivating
Adjective
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Strimel is now a motivational speaker who regularly talks about her experience with breast cancer.—
Korin Miller,
Flow Space,
27 Oct. 2025
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Fontanez, who has cut hair for everyone from Tom Brady to Nelly and even former President Barack Obama, broadened his career focus during the pandemic to include motivational speaking.—
Hedy Phillips,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In low, incantatory voices, the lamas were reading from The Tibetan Book of the Dead, encouraging my grandmother to move forward without fear in the bardo between death and rebirth.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
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But rather than responding with anger, the university’s president, Astrid Tuminez, is encouraging dialogue.—
Steven P. Dinkin,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Raptors ran relentlessly, even as Atlanta turned the ball over just 16 times, a far cry from what the Raptors were forcing in the preseason.—
Eric Koreen,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
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However, West Virginia’s defense has a knack for forcing turnovers.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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My role is to ensure bringing our ambitious vision to life, which is to be an international luxury brand builder, bridging cultures and inspiring dreams.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
21 Oct. 2025
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From the red carpet to the runway, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s logos have turned into status symbols, inspiring designers, brands and fans around the world.—
Khanh T.L. Tran,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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To get Kim back to talks, Koh said Trump would have to bring something enticing him to the table this time around.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
24 Oct. 2025
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The temptation to shop is turbocharged with algorithms like that of TikTok Shop, enticing people to try more channels and products.—
Tribune News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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That could help with a key goal of the new transit line — persuading people who commute by car to give a more comfortable bus experience a try.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
23 Oct. 2025
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Despite a recent plan to overhaul California’s strict insurance regulations in hopes of persuading carriers to expand coverage in fire-risk areas, many homeowners have yet to see any immediate changes.—
Ethan Varian,
Mercury News,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Pneumococcal vaccines work by stimulating an immune system response to pneumonia bacteria.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
20 Oct. 2025
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The mouse portion of the new research found that Covid mRNA vaccination appeared to make the immune system more attuned to recognizing tumors as a threat by stimulating dendritic cells, a type of white blood cell.—
Kaitlin Sullivan,
NBC news,
19 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Motivating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motivating. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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