as in inspirational
serving or likely to arouse action or activity
A poster with a motivational message was hung above the water cooler. The conference will feature talks by some well-known motivational speakers.
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Recent Examples of motivational
The motivational speaker Tony Robbins paced with possessed energy around a stage erected on the floor of Miami’s Kaseya Center.
—
Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 8 Nov. 2025
And those motivational words, which Rice shared with us, came on a day, mind you, when Kelce had 99 receiving yards, his most in a regular season game in nearly a year.
—Kansas City Star, 28 Oct. 2025
Strimel is now a motivational speaker who regularly talks about her experience with breast cancer.
—Korin Miller, Flow Space, 27 Oct. 2025
Fontanez, who has cut hair for everyone from Tom Brady to Nelly and even former President Barack Obama, broadened his career focus during the pandemic to include motivational speaking.
—Hedy Phillips, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
Wallace’s 6-year-old All-Star challenge lingers like one of Murray’s motivational dares to a young teammate.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 22 Oct. 2025
Carpenter also starred in sketches throughout the evening as a 12-year-old boy podcast host, a girlboss motivational speaker who suffers a head injury, and a singing washing machine.
—Walden Green, Pitchfork, 19 Oct. 2025
Early in the segment, Carpenter’s character, Queen Lisha—who paired motivational speeches with upbeat choreography—suffered a concussion after her backup dancers threw her a touch too hard into a window.
—Paula Mejía, The Atlantic, 19 Oct. 2025
Guilt is one of our main motivational tools.
—Bill Hoogterp, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2025
Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 8 Nov. 2025
And those motivational words, which Rice shared with us, came on a day, mind you, when Kelce had 99 receiving yards, his most in a regular season game in nearly a year.
—Kansas City Star, 28 Oct. 2025
Strimel is now a motivational speaker who regularly talks about her experience with breast cancer.
—Korin Miller, Flow Space, 27 Oct. 2025
Fontanez, who has cut hair for everyone from Tom Brady to Nelly and even former President Barack Obama, broadened his career focus during the pandemic to include motivational speaking.
—Hedy Phillips, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
Wallace’s 6-year-old All-Star challenge lingers like one of Murray’s motivational dares to a young teammate.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 22 Oct. 2025
Carpenter also starred in sketches throughout the evening as a 12-year-old boy podcast host, a girlboss motivational speaker who suffers a head injury, and a singing washing machine.
—Walden Green, Pitchfork, 19 Oct. 2025
Early in the segment, Carpenter’s character, Queen Lisha—who paired motivational speeches with upbeat choreography—suffered a concussion after her backup dancers threw her a touch too hard into a window.
—Paula Mejía, The Atlantic, 19 Oct. 2025
Guilt is one of our main motivational tools.
—Bill Hoogterp, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motivational
Adjective
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Since that fateful day in May 2023, Truwit’s journey has been remarkable and inspirational.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
4 Nov. 2025
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There was also a very inspirational panel talk with MC Lyte and fellow trailblazer MC Sha Rock.—
Essence,
Essence,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Couple-Care is a monthly series highlighting inspiring couples in our community.—
Essence,
Essence,
7 Nov. 2025
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The work of the foundation could not only address practical needs like building safe, inspiring spaces for children but also celebrate local stories, crafts and traditions in a way that empowers individuals and communities.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Motivational.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motivational. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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