as in incentives
something that arouses action or activity
fear of failing should be plenty of motivation to study for the test
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Recent Examples of motivations
Swapping numbers can result from different motivations, Mann explained.
—
ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026
In a cast populated by characters with shifting motivations, Eunice mostly comes off as a plot device that features more or less prominently depending on what’s going on with everyone else.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026
As for the cast, the players can only tease so much about the first campaign so far, but did give hints about their characters’ motivations.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026
Further investigation will take place to determine the attackers’ motivations.
—Lauren Feiner, The Verge, 14 Apr. 2026
And for all the effort to read between the lines, to connect the dots between moves and motivations, the truth is the Valkyries have given little away about what comes next.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 14 Apr. 2026
Peel back the layers, and their motivations were obvious.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 13 Apr. 2026
The story is Dean’s complexity — his complex relationship with climbing, with his own motivations, with his friends.
—Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026
People are complex and their motivations are layered.
—Michael James Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026
ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026
In a cast populated by characters with shifting motivations, Eunice mostly comes off as a plot device that features more or less prominently depending on what’s going on with everyone else.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026
As for the cast, the players can only tease so much about the first campaign so far, but did give hints about their characters’ motivations.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026
Further investigation will take place to determine the attackers’ motivations.
—Lauren Feiner, The Verge, 14 Apr. 2026
And for all the effort to read between the lines, to connect the dots between moves and motivations, the truth is the Valkyries have given little away about what comes next.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 14 Apr. 2026
Peel back the layers, and their motivations were obvious.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 13 Apr. 2026
The story is Dean’s complexity — his complex relationship with climbing, with his own motivations, with his friends.
—Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026
People are complex and their motivations are layered.
—Michael James Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motivations
Noun
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The Good Jobs First report recommends that all states fully report their losses from data center tax breaks, including how those incentives affect local revenue streams.—
Kevin Hardy,
Baltimore Sun,
20 Apr. 2026
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While the sales increases in some cases were aided by tax incentives and new emissions rules, the figures point to how global fleets are rapidly electrifying in response to the war in Iran.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
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All through the park, competitors and onlookers hit vapes and shout tips and encouragements into trees.—
Calin Van Paris,
Outside,
19 Mar. 2026
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In October 2024 ahead of her own stay at MSG, Billie Eilish recorded encouragements to take the subways for environmental benefits.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Motivations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motivations. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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