MOTIVATION Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

motivation

noun

ˌmō-tə-ˈvā-shən

Definition of motivation

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 While the outcome may also be a welcome aesthetic change, the motivation is often functional—relief from discomfort during movement, chafing during exercise, pinching in clothing, pain with intimacy, and recurrent infections. — Anonymous, Allure, 23 July 2026 Attorney Taylor Meehan, representing Tennessee election officials, rejected the assertion of racially discriminatory motivations. — ABC News, 23 July 2026 At the same time, though, the Patriots don’t have much motivation to move him. — Chad Graff, New York Times, 23 July 2026 Sometimes the motivation is about wanting to make things fair. — Melissa Willets, Parents, 23 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for motivation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for motivation

Noun

Cordero’s visit to Costa Rica feeds into a wider picture in Latin America, as more countries inaugurate tax breaks and incentives.

— Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 24 July 2026
State and local incentives from South Carolina and Greenville County account for approximately $200 million.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 24 July 2026

Definition of incentive

Noun

So that was kind of the the impetus and interest inside of Amazon.

— Jennifer Maas, Variety, 23 July 2026
The visit also gave new impetus to economic ties, with both countries agreeing to rapidly increase bilateral trade, expand cooperation in economic forums such as the World Trade Organization, and establish a financial dialogue mechanism.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 July 2026

Definition of impetus

Noun

For those future divorcees, Lau has some encouragement from the other side.

— Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 26 July 2026
Disney also introduced a first-of-its-kind red carpet activation at the film’s Los Angeles premiere, where cast members and guests stopped at a life-size interactive lily pad to write messages of encouragement for children in hospitals.

— Naomi Jeffries, HollywoodReporter, 23 July 2026

Definition of encouragement

Noun

The next frontier of value will not be the fastest answer or the most personalized stimulus.

— Regan Peng, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Analysts said the persistence of such underlying weakness also raises the question of whether Chinese officials will turn to more fiscal stimulus to try and boost domestic spending.

— Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 15 July 2026

Definition of stimulus

Browse Nearby Words

motivating

motivation

motivational

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Motivation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motivation. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of motivation

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on motivation

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

comely

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly

Popular in Wordplay

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes