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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of motivation
One motivation is that this might improve their existing thinking processes.
—
Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Both Kardashian Barker and Huck accepted the accolade on stage in a room full of beauty executives and industry insiders, with the reality star crediting her children as her constant motivation.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 15 May 2026
Yes, the Patriots have to watch the Seahawks raise their Super Bowl LX banner, but that could also serve as motivation and creates a good story to start the year.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 15 May 2026
Despite engaging performances, though, the characters’ motivations don’t always ring true, leading to some frustrating and unconvincing plot developments.
—Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for motivation
Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Both Kardashian Barker and Huck accepted the accolade on stage in a room full of beauty executives and industry insiders, with the reality star crediting her children as her constant motivation.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 15 May 2026
Yes, the Patriots have to watch the Seahawks raise their Super Bowl LX banner, but that could also serve as motivation and creates a good story to start the year.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 15 May 2026
Despite engaging performances, though, the characters’ motivations don’t always ring true, leading to some frustrating and unconvincing plot developments.
—Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for motivation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motivation
Noun
-
House members who occupy safe seats have fewer incentives to compromise or work across the aisle.—
Ashley Wu,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
-
Provincial incentives can be stacked with the federal rebate to a bonus tax credit rate of 45 percent — a significant lever in an era when every greenlight is being scrutinized.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
The swell of political dissatisfaction with Starmer from many of his colleagues, and what appears to be his narrow escape from an immediate leadership challenge, provides the impetus for the government to revamp its legislative agenda.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
13 May 2026
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The project now has fresh impetus with SBS Productions and SBS International, which is repping sales at the Cannes market.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
For this year's campaign, Kemp rebuffed Senate Republican leaders' encouragement to challenge Ossoff and declined to endorse either Collins or Carter.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 May 2026
-
There’s so much encouragement, advice, and support happening in every one.—
Glamour,
Glamour,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Renter Mandy Feng, who prefers to use a pseudonym for fear of being seen criticizing the authorities, said the stimulus the government is offering has failed to offset people’s anxiety over an uncertain economic outlook.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
18 May 2026
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Perhaps sensing this, the league trotted out a series of onstage stimuli between picks.—
Dan Greene,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Motivation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motivation. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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