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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of motivation
But O'Neal also says not everyone understands his motivation in being so generous, and those expecting a favor likely won't be on the receiving end of one of his surprises.
—
Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Read together and discuss characters' emotions and motivations.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 30 Oct. 2025
Whether a screenwriter wants to give a romance a tragic twist, or provide more motivation for a straight protagonist, one of the oldest tricks in the book is to make an LGBTQ+ character… disappear!
—Catherine Mhloyi, Them., 29 Oct. 2025
Movement has always been essential in my daily and creative life, but finding the time and motivation while running a growing business has become a bigger challenge than running faster or further.
—Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for motivation
Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Read together and discuss characters' emotions and motivations.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 30 Oct. 2025
Whether a screenwriter wants to give a romance a tragic twist, or provide more motivation for a straight protagonist, one of the oldest tricks in the book is to make an LGBTQ+ character… disappear!
—Catherine Mhloyi, Them., 29 Oct. 2025
Movement has always been essential in my daily and creative life, but finding the time and motivation while running a growing business has become a bigger challenge than running faster or further.
—Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for motivation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motivation
Noun
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Feeling some heat from next door, New York sweetened its incentive package in its latest budget earlier this year.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
28 Oct. 2025
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This geopolitical calculus is complicated by immediate economic incentives.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Stamford and Columbia University have committed to research using The Pippins as the impetus, according to Chris Norton.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
Footwear News,
24 Oct. 2025
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Part of the impetus for all these openings is the same reason Las Vegas is so primed for these restaurants in the first place.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
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With encouragement from her family, Zarna hit the New York comedy scene in 2019, performing at open mics and the Westside Comedy Club.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
1 Nov. 2025
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But not mere notes of encouragement.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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That means more interest rate cuts to prop up hiring – financial stimulus that may further spur inflation.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
29 Oct. 2025
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Create the space between stimulus and response, move with intention, and know yourself.—
Fortune Editors,
Fortune,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Motivation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motivation. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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