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
Cooperation turns into conflict Even countries that share common goals or values sometimes compete, and the motivations are rarely simple.
—
Kaleb Demerew, The Conversation, 3 Nov. 2025
Still, the motivations behind the song feel somewhat obscured.
—Jayson Buford, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2025
Duncan’s announcement caused some of his former political allies to question his motivations.
—Taylor Millard, The Washington Examiner, 31 Oct. 2025
Read together and discuss characters' emotions and motivations.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 30 Oct. 2025
Poehler, 54, then asked about McKinnon’s motivations for living on the homestead.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
For the past 20 years or so, there have been increasing news reports around corporate investors’ profit motivations putting patients at risk, according to Sullivan.
—Alexis Kayser, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
While Guy’s motivations, backstory, and character are all rather underwritten at the moment, a particularly skilled actor could absolutely sell us on the angst, rootlessness, and yearning for a stable identity the script seems to imply.
—Lily Osler, Vulture, 27 Oct. 2025
In many ways, Trusty is reprising a similar role now in defending Rozier, calling into question the motivations of prosecutors.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Kaleb Demerew, The Conversation, 3 Nov. 2025
Still, the motivations behind the song feel somewhat obscured.
—Jayson Buford, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2025
Duncan’s announcement caused some of his former political allies to question his motivations.
—Taylor Millard, The Washington Examiner, 31 Oct. 2025
Read together and discuss characters' emotions and motivations.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 30 Oct. 2025
Poehler, 54, then asked about McKinnon’s motivations for living on the homestead.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
For the past 20 years or so, there have been increasing news reports around corporate investors’ profit motivations putting patients at risk, according to Sullivan.
—Alexis Kayser, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
While Guy’s motivations, backstory, and character are all rather underwritten at the moment, a particularly skilled actor could absolutely sell us on the angst, rootlessness, and yearning for a stable identity the script seems to imply.
—Lily Osler, Vulture, 27 Oct. 2025
In many ways, Trusty is reprising a similar role now in defending Rozier, calling into question the motivations of prosecutors.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 27 Oct. 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
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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
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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 7 Nov. 2025.
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