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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of motivations
Chowchilla digs into the criminal motivations and legal repercussions, exploring how those affected by the crime fared in the decades since.
—
James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 4 June 2026
Mercury — now in Cancer and your eighth house of joint ventures and psychological motivations — will clash with Saturn, which could trigger serious conversations around dating, children or even financial entanglements.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 4 June 2026
Its title alone sparks accusations of the most cynical motivations, yet the movie itself is winning most people over.
—Mike Ryan, IndieWire, 4 June 2026
The hosts talk about the underlying deal motivations.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 4 June 2026
In public statements, Alfonsi and Vega alleged their firings had political motivations.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 3 June 2026
But New England’s trade effectively grants Brown the proverbial Change Of Scenery that buries the receiver’s unsaid motivations.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 1 June 2026
Laurie and Alamo’s motivations have always been crystal clear in comparison to everyone else’s.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 1 June 2026
When an associate understands those motivations, the conversation becomes more meaningful, and the experience feels genuinely tailored.
—Guy Yehiav, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 4 June 2026
Mercury — now in Cancer and your eighth house of joint ventures and psychological motivations — will clash with Saturn, which could trigger serious conversations around dating, children or even financial entanglements.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 4 June 2026
Its title alone sparks accusations of the most cynical motivations, yet the movie itself is winning most people over.
—Mike Ryan, IndieWire, 4 June 2026
The hosts talk about the underlying deal motivations.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 4 June 2026
In public statements, Alfonsi and Vega alleged their firings had political motivations.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 3 June 2026
But New England’s trade effectively grants Brown the proverbial Change Of Scenery that buries the receiver’s unsaid motivations.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 1 June 2026
Laurie and Alamo’s motivations have always been crystal clear in comparison to everyone else’s.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 1 June 2026
When an associate understands those motivations, the conversation becomes more meaningful, and the experience feels genuinely tailored.
—Guy Yehiav, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motivations
Noun
-
These discussions include possible revenue sharing between the data company and village along with tax incentives.—
Addison Wright,
Chicago Tribune,
8 June 2026
-
Those changes were designed to reduce incentives for excessive litigation, particularly in insurance claims.—
Contessa Brewer,
CNBC,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
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 12 Jun. 2026.
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