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
Trump has repeatedly touted Venezuela’s rich oil supply as among the motivations for the January 2 military assault on the country and the capture of its leader, Nicolás Maduro, who has since been charged with drug trafficking and weapons possession.
—
Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 7 Jan. 2026
Though the videos did not reveal a motive, the federal investigation into Valente’s motivations will continue, the US attorney’s office said.
—Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 6 Jan. 2026
Nevertheless, insurgent ideologies and opposition to demobilization efforts in Colombia remain central to understanding their motivations.
—Rebecca Hanson, The Conversation, 6 Jan. 2026
Visual variations and an organic genesis give natural stone an individual look and history, which Merbeth says is one of the motivations behind this trend.
—Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Jan. 2026
Woodworth suggests going behind the curtain to understand your motivations.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 2 Jan. 2026
Moreover, when the villain and their motivations are finally revealed, the discovery feels neither revelatory nor meaningful.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 27 Dec. 2025
Reading also creates topics for conversation within your family, and helps young readers build empathy by discussing the motivations of characters in books.
—Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Dec. 2025
The Leo eclipse encourages a deep reinvention of your motivations.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 23 Dec. 2025
Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 7 Jan. 2026
Though the videos did not reveal a motive, the federal investigation into Valente’s motivations will continue, the US attorney’s office said.
—Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 6 Jan. 2026
Nevertheless, insurgent ideologies and opposition to demobilization efforts in Colombia remain central to understanding their motivations.
—Rebecca Hanson, The Conversation, 6 Jan. 2026
Visual variations and an organic genesis give natural stone an individual look and history, which Merbeth says is one of the motivations behind this trend.
—Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Jan. 2026
Woodworth suggests going behind the curtain to understand your motivations.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 2 Jan. 2026
Moreover, when the villain and their motivations are finally revealed, the discovery feels neither revelatory nor meaningful.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 27 Dec. 2025
Reading also creates topics for conversation within your family, and helps young readers build empathy by discussing the motivations of characters in books.
—Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Dec. 2025
The Leo eclipse encourages a deep reinvention of your motivations.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 23 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motivations
Noun
-
President Joe Biden's signature Inflation Reduction Act offered many incentives for the development of these alternative energy sources.—
Tom Rogers,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Germany scrapped incentives to boost purchases of fully electric vehicles about two years ago, a policy change that led to a sharp drop in demand for fully electric vehicles, initially.—
Lora Kolodny,
CNBC,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
Hints, counsels, warnings, remonstrations, even encouragements are, in the end, of limited value.—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Motivations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motivations. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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