MOTIVATIVE Synonyms: 41 Similar and Opposite Words

motivative

adjective

Definition of motivative

as in motivational

serving or likely to arouse action or activity Her sister's illness proved to be a motivative force in her decision to study medicine.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for motivative

motivational

Adjective

Pushing harder won't work, and neither will motivational messaging.

— Ayaskant Sarangi, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
While his exhortation left off Brady’s signature profane intensifier, the motivational gambit remained explicit even in the absence of the familiar F-bomb.

— Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of motivational

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.

Browse Nearby Words

motivations

motivative

motive

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Motivative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motivative. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of motivative

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

baptism of fire

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes