MOTIVATIONS Synonyms: 33 Similar and Opposite Words

motivations

noun

plural of motivation

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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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 motivations RadarOnline had previously reported that one of the motivations for the move was King Charles’ health. — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 24 Aug. 2026 Resistance and commitment can coexist because each sentiment has different motivations. — John Radman, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Other therapies focus on teaching strategies to better understand the emotions and motivations of others and help people with schizophrenia avoid jumping to negative conclusions. — Matthew Kurtz, The Conversation, 20 Aug. 2026 The ensemble cast includes Nayanthara, Kiara Advani, Tara Sutaria, Rukmini Vasanth and Huma Qureshi in supporting roles shaped by competing motivations and shifting loyalties. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026 Those deeper motivations influence which information feels credible, what creates hesitation, and what gives a person enough confidence to move forward. — Connie Etemadi, Freep.com, 18 Aug. 2026 Kimmel had made a comment about the motivations of the man who authorities say fatally shot conservative activist Charlie Kirk. — Gary Grumbach, NBC news, 18 Aug. 2026 As franchise valuations continue to climb, leagues like the NBA and even the NFL are welcoming new types of deal structures from new types of buyers with new types of motivations. — Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 17 Aug. 2026 Meanwhile, a square between Mars and Neptune retrograde is slowly coming together, becoming exact tomorrow, which can make our desires and motivations all the more perplexing. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 16 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for motivations

Noun

The study adds a new wrinkle to the ongoing debate over whether these increasingly expensive corporate incentives are worth their cost to taxpayers.

— Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
The merger threatens to push production further abroad amid an already ongoing exodus, as well as to other states with cushy tax incentives.

— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of incentives

Noun

Many folks send encouragements toward OP mom and her son, while others put heat on the other parents for sexualizing their kids’ friendship.

— DeVonne Goode, Parents, 26 July 2026
All through the park, competitors and onlookers hit vapes and shout tips and encouragements into trees.

— Calin Van Paris, Outside, 19 Mar. 2026

Definition of encouragements

Browse Nearby Words

motivational

motivations

motivative

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“Motivations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motivations. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of motivations

noun

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