Synonyms of motivating

motivating 1 of 2

adjective

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.

Related Words

• motivational
• motivative
• inspiring
• inspirational
• exciting
• inducing
• triggering
• energizing
• activating
• vitalizing
• upsetting
• galvanizing
• quickening
• annoying
• aggravating
• maddening
• explosive
• irritating
• exasperating
• vexing
• bothersome
• irksome
• inflammatory
• enraging
• provoking
• vexatious
• stimulating
• angering
• provocative
• pesky
• incendiary
• galling
• inciting
• charged
• instigating
• edgy
• instigative
• piquing
• fiery

Dissimilar Words

• noninflammatory
• subduing

motivating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of motivate

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.

Related Words

• encouraging
• forcing
• enticing
• persuading
• stimulating
• inspiring
• inducing
• provoking
• spurring
• exciting
• energizing
• driving
• inciting
• arousing
• moving
• stirring
• galvanizing
• bribing
• instigating
• activating
• propelling
• animating
• sparking
• vitalizing
• firing (up)
• luring
• impelling
• revving (up)
• seducing
• quickening
• setting off
• tempting
• keying (up)
• piquing
• impassioning
• alluring
• getting
• goading
• motiving
• pumping up
• triggering
• baiting
• beguiling
• igniting
• leading on
• inflaming
• fanning
• kindling
• fomenting
• aggravating
• abetting
• exasperating
• irritating
• fermenting
• annoying
• whipping (up)
• bothering
• raising
• vexing
• enraging
• upsetting
• angering
• maddening
• galling

Dissimilar Words

• calming
• soothing
• subduing
• appeasing
• tranquilizing
• pacifying
• placating
• mollifying

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of motivating

Verb

Rather than motivating her to get back into the studio, Cardi, 33, said the complaints can have the opposite effect. — Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 12 Aug. 2026

The joint endorsement of scientific experts and the general public was the most powerful force motivating Americans to act, whether on climate, public health, or technology. — Anandita Sabherwal, Time, 3 Aug. 2026

Consider that our discipline to pare back our Procter & Gamble position on Tuesday afternoon proved to be prudent when the Tide maker’s earnings came out earlier Wednesday, sending shares lower (and ultimately motivating our exit of P & G ). — Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 30 July 2026

There are no guarantees, but a caring conversation, genuine curiosity and a willingness to understand what is motivating them may make a difference. — Larry Magid, Mercury News, 30 July 2026

Just motivating your family to move away from the traditional blue-collar jobs that we’re forced to do. — Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026

What, then, is motivating the 41-year-old to don Portugal’s kit for his sixth and final World Cup this summer? — Ashley Mowreader, NBC news, 3 July 2026

Blorian said Sporting’s current last-place standing is motivating and a welcome challenge to bring the club back up. — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026

But one thing that can help is understanding what is (or isn’t) motivating other fans. — Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026