as in incentive
something that arouses action or activity
fear of failing should be plenty of motivation to study for the test
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of motivation
Orlean is precise about her motivations.
—
Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026
Oprah Winfrey has given us decades of candid conversations, motivation, iconic interviews, entertaining TV, and health tips.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 29 Jan. 2026
As one expert noted, simply expecting good results can boost motivation and thereby change the actual outcome.
—W. Jeff Williams, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
But there is financial motivation for a trade, as Dallas’ payroll is currently projected to go over the second apron tax threshold next season.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for motivation
Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026
Oprah Winfrey has given us decades of candid conversations, motivation, iconic interviews, entertaining TV, and health tips.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 29 Jan. 2026
As one expert noted, simply expecting good results can boost motivation and thereby change the actual outcome.
—W. Jeff Williams, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
But there is financial motivation for a trade, as Dallas’ payroll is currently projected to go over the second apron tax threshold next season.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for motivation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motivation
Noun
-
The official boundaries of the new stadium incentive district have not yet been finalized.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The grocer will also receive a $50,000 retailer incentive bonus.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The decisive impetus on the material side comes from our shareholder Mitsui Chemical to use sustainable material solutions in these products.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
26 Jan. 2026
-
The immediate impetus for the protests was the release by Puerto Rico’s Center for Investigative Journalism on July 13, 2019 (the day before the protests began), of nearly 900 pages of digital chats between Rosselló and his top aides and cabinet members.—
Julyssa Lopez,
Rolling Stone,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Punk’s response felt less like encouragement and more like a challenge.—
Rob Wolkenbrod,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Cathleen also acted as dance mistress by demonstrating the steps and helping James provide encouragement and brief explanations for a dance’s historical context.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
This suggests the presence of an internal, self-evolving latent variable—independent of external stimuli—that shapes the timing structure of motivation and decision-making.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Feland adds that the additional gravitational load gives an extra stimulus for the bone to build more tissue in people who don’t get that through weight-bearing exercise or resistance training.—
Jennifer Heimlich,
Time,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Motivation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motivation. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
