MOTIVATIONAL Synonyms: 41 Similar and Opposite Words

motivational

adjective

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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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 motivational The thesis of Brady’s commencement, though, was battling through adversity and never quitting, and the best way for Brady to tell his motivational message was by telling the story of his Super Bowl LI comeback against the Atlanta Falcons. —

Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2026 That was the motivational cycle. —

Rustin Dodd, New York Times, 15 May 2026 The fake newspaper, which is changed out for each of her training trips to Vegas from her family farm in Riverside County, California, is a simple motivational device. —

ABC News, 13 May 2026 Farley played motivational speaker Matt Foley — who memorably lived in a van down by the river. —

Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 9 May 2026 Their earliest and biggest target has been Dax, a 32-year-old janitor-turned-rapper from Canada who spits overwrought motivational lyrics over rudimentary beats. —

Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 8 May 2026 The coaches’ office is no bigger than a janitor’s closet, but the yellow brick walls are lined with championship pictures, motivational quotes, magazine covers of female athletes, soccer star Hope Solo, and accomplishments of each coach. —

Pj Green april 30, Kansas City Star, 30 Apr. 2026 That is not motivational optimism. —

William Jones, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026 Senior pitcher/second baseman Ellie Peck, a Lewis recruit who reached base three times and scored three runs, confirmed that Kuefler’s motivational ploy seems to be working. —

Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for motivational

Adjective

There’s nothing very entrepreneurial, or inspirational, in that.

— Jonathan Weber, Fortune, 19 May 2026
An Emmy and Golden Globe winner best known for his role in FX’s lauded LAPD drama The Shield, Chiklis most recently starred in the inspirational football drama The Senior for Angel Studios.

— Matt Grobar, Deadline, 19 May 2026