as in incentive
something that arouses action or activity
fear of failing should be plenty of motivation to study for the test
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of motivation
Dangerous motivation With Robinson now in custody, investigators will dig into what might have motivated the suspect.
—
Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 13 Sep. 2025
The story features powerful demons, and even the demons have motivations to become stronger.
—Billboard Japan, Billboard, 12 Sep. 2025
As the bond between them grows, questions arise about Bang Bang’s true motivations.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
That exchange of motivation is what balances UF while the ship seems to be rocking.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for motivation
Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 13 Sep. 2025
The story features powerful demons, and even the demons have motivations to become stronger.
—Billboard Japan, Billboard, 12 Sep. 2025
As the bond between them grows, questions arise about Bang Bang’s true motivations.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
That exchange of motivation is what balances UF while the ship seems to be rocking.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for motivation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motivation
Noun
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President Joe Biden's 2022 Inflation Reduction Act—passed solely with Democratic votes in Congress—provided historic incentives for clean energy manufacturers and EV and battery makers.—
Jeff Young,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
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If a ball is kicked into the landing zone and then bounces into the endzone while staying inbounds, it must be returned or downed; however, there is an incentive for attempting a return in that instance, as a touchback would only spot the receiving team at their 20.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The special teams element is a benefit of the move more than the impetus.—
Zach Berman,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
-
That’s really what was the first impetus for getting this to be a continuing project.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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While the movement has yet to gain traction on this side of the pond, Americans have needed little outside encouragement to get in on the secondhand shopping trend, both online, led by marketplaces like ThredUp and The Real Real, and in thrift stores.—
Pamela N. Danziger,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Pym was in need of encouragement.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The hope was that a quick jolt of stimulus (delivered without haste) could stir an economic recovery.—
Robert Goulder,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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The factory is a throwback to a pre-Rust Belt America, providing ~200 jobs, endless pride, and a stimulus that benefits the rest of the local economy.—
Katherine Laidlaw,
HubSpot,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Motivation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motivation. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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