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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of motivating
Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Nov. 2025
If the gap between self and fitfluencer seems too wide, comparisons become discouraging, not motivating.
—Abby Frank, The Conversation, 5 Nov. 2025
But others have pointed out that generative-AI companies are the ones killing openness, by motivating publishers to expand and strengthen their paywalls to defend their work (and their business models) from exploitative scrapers.
—Alex Reisner, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2025
Overcrowding is another concern motivating the sweeping facilities plan.
—Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 4 Nov. 2025
Widespread expectations that women will prioritize housework and childcare also diminish young women's educational prospects, motivating them to leave rural areas.
—Anthony Kuhn, NPR, 3 Nov. 2025
Numbers aren’t everything, but seeing the results of our work in a visible way is motivating.
—Billboard Korea, Billboard, 29 Oct. 2025
Peterson said in a recent Daily Detroit podcast interview that the end of its lease was coming up, motivating the closing.
—Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 28 Oct. 2025
Of course, sharing your goals and progress with others can be encouraging, but this challenge feels more performative than motivating.
—Ayana Underwood, Outside, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
Prediction With more firepower and the home crowd motivating TCU, the Horned Frogs start their four-game gauntlet with a 31-17 win over Iowa State, setting up a massive showdown next week at BYU.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Nov. 2025
If the gap between self and fitfluencer seems too wide, comparisons become discouraging, not motivating.
—Abby Frank, The Conversation, 5 Nov. 2025
But others have pointed out that generative-AI companies are the ones killing openness, by motivating publishers to expand and strengthen their paywalls to defend their work (and their business models) from exploitative scrapers.
—Alex Reisner, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2025
Overcrowding is another concern motivating the sweeping facilities plan.
—Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 4 Nov. 2025
Widespread expectations that women will prioritize housework and childcare also diminish young women's educational prospects, motivating them to leave rural areas.
—Anthony Kuhn, NPR, 3 Nov. 2025
Numbers aren’t everything, but seeing the results of our work in a visible way is motivating.
—Billboard Korea, Billboard, 29 Oct. 2025
Peterson said in a recent Daily Detroit podcast interview that the end of its lease was coming up, motivating the closing.
—Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 28 Oct. 2025
Of course, sharing your goals and progress with others can be encouraging, but this challenge feels more performative than motivating.
—Ayana Underwood, Outside, 28 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motivating
Adjective
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The motivational speaker Tony Robbins paced with possessed energy around a stage erected on the floor of Miami’s Kaseya Center.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
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And those motivational words, which Rice shared with us, came on a day, mind you, when Kelce had 99 receiving yards, his most in a regular season game in nearly a year.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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There was a lot to like about Jovic’s performance on Saturday, with Heat veteran guard Norman Powell pushing and encouraging him along the way.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
9 Nov. 2025
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Salt-n-Pepa also joined in, and the group of artists concluded the set with a call-and-response moment alongside the crowd, encouraging everyone to scream along.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Bloomberg | Getty Images Private equity fund managers are bracing for a wave of consolidation as investors demand higher returns and stronger governance, forcing a shakeout in an overcrowded industry, several industry veterans said at a high-level finance summit in Hong Kong on Tuesday.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
5 Nov. 2025
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The reductions announced on Wednesday could cause even more disruption, forcing airlines to cancel or reschedule thousands of flights per day.—
Joel Rose,
NPR,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Couple-Care is a monthly series highlighting inspiring couples in our community.—
Essence,
Essence,
7 Nov. 2025
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The work of the foundation could not only address practical needs like building safe, inspiring spaces for children but also celebrate local stories, crafts and traditions in a way that empowers individuals and communities.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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But if the hotel has made the town enticing to a new kind of visitor—say, one who appreciates the convenience of its helipad—the property has none of the hermetic insularity of a traditional resort.—
David Amsden,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Nov. 2025
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Some researchers think that since the last Ice Age Indigenous tribes burned swaths of woodlands to create an environment enticing to game animals.—
Sophie Hartley,
IndyStar,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Chime has proven wildly successful in persuading new customers to open accounts.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
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After reading Wuoronos’ story, Pralle began conversing with her through letters, eventually persuading Wuornos to let Pralle adopt her.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Aside from giving each strain their unique smell, terpenes also contribute to effects where some may be sedating (linalool, terpinene, myrcene), stimulating (limonene, pinene) and have medicinal benefits (caryophyllene, beta caryophyllene).—
Carly Fisher,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
29 Oct. 2025
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Save more serious, heavier pruning for shaping and stimulating new growth for late winter or spring.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Motivating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motivating. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
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