as in incentives
something that arouses action or activity
fear of failing should be plenty of motivation to study for the test
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 motivations
As Arrivia notes, loyalty programs that tailor offers to practical and emotional motivations will capture share not just in the short term, but across the customer lifecycle.
—
Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Prieguez told the Herald that now his motivations have changed.
—Joey Flechas, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
But explaining Dyer’s motivations in the face of a disintegrating family portrayed in & Sons remains a bit of an uphill climb for Nighy.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025
Familiar names pepper the script, but characters’ circumstances, identities, and motivations have been significantly altered.
—Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
Its run time might be shorter, but its emotional essence, thematic core, and even the motivations that drive its characters would remain intact.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2025
That people might be falling for the Minneapolis shooter’s scribblings and raging at each other over potential motivations is likely thrilling to potential copycat killers—proof that the troll still works.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2025
There are lots of different motivations, generating revenue—the tariff revenue is quite significant.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
But to this day, the gunman’s motivations remain unclear.
—Ernesto Londoño, Twin Cities, 1 Sep. 2025
Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Prieguez told the Herald that now his motivations have changed.
—Joey Flechas, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
But explaining Dyer’s motivations in the face of a disintegrating family portrayed in & Sons remains a bit of an uphill climb for Nighy.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025
Familiar names pepper the script, but characters’ circumstances, identities, and motivations have been significantly altered.
—Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
Its run time might be shorter, but its emotional essence, thematic core, and even the motivations that drive its characters would remain intact.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2025
That people might be falling for the Minneapolis shooter’s scribblings and raging at each other over potential motivations is likely thrilling to potential copycat killers—proof that the troll still works.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2025
There are lots of different motivations, generating revenue—the tariff revenue is quite significant.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
But to this day, the gunman’s motivations remain unclear.
—Ernesto Londoño, Twin Cities, 1 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motivations
Noun
-
These centers offer further incentives to tech companies looking for enterprise customers.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Further billions are earmarked for technology upgrades, partnerships with state and local law enforcement, and retention incentives for ICE personnel.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Ward and Curlee also started the app Counterbalance, which provides daily encouragements, recipes, community and more.—
Emy LaCroix,
People.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Motivations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motivations. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share