MOTIVING Synonyms: 62 Similar and Opposite Words

motiving

verb

present participle of motive

as in setting off

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for motiving

Verb

Five seasons ago, Donald made the game-clinching play in the Rams’ Super Bowl LVI victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, setting off a wild celebration in their home stadium.

— Michael Silver, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026
He was accused not of pulling the trigger, but of setting off the September 7, 1996 murder following the Mike Tyson-Bruce Seldon heavyweight championship at the MGM Grand.

— John L. Smith, Rolling Stone, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of setting off

Verb

When showing a complex picture with many different hues next to each other, though, pumping up the output of individual LED colors can cause the edges of those hues to tint and warp.

— Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 17 Aug. 2026
Several stock indexes, including the NASDAQ 100, also relaxed rules for how soon new issues could be included, further pumping up demand.

— John Ruwitch, NPR, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of pumping up

Verb

Determined, Teagan bulldozes her way through the boathouse, eventually becoming the team’s coxswain, the only non-rowing member who is tasked with steering, managing the race plan and motivating the rest of the team.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026
In other words, setting direction, then guiding, persuading and motivating others, isn’t enough anymore.

— Liz Guthridge, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of motivating

Verb

This is the animating question of How to Touch Grass, a new podcast series by my colleagues here at The Atlantic.

— Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
But Mamdani’s animating political philosophy is to use government to solve everyday problems in people’s lives.

— Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of animating

Verb

This has included pumping water from the Sea of Galilee, activating groundwater wells and using national water reserves.

— Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
The Athletic reported on Sunday that Mateta was in dispute with Palace over the final year of his contract, which is set to expire next summer, with Palace activating an option to extend his deal by a further year last December.

— David Ornstein, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of activating

Verb

After driving for a touchdown on their opening drive, the Wolverines didn’t score again until Buchanan snagged Underwood’s pass amid a crowd of defenders in the end zone.

— Austin Meek, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Yet too many adults focus on winning and chasing college scholarships, driving up the costs for families and pressure on children to specialize in one sport and succeed.

— Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of driving

Verb

Sunlight streams in brighter, energizing the home, and your whole exterior gets a fresh lift.

— Martha Stewart, Martha Stewart, 5 Sep. 2026
But its real essence is pure escapism, whether dangling from a mountain while rappelling or relaxing in the impeccable spa with its energizing hammam rituals and fragrant frankincense oils.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of energizing

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

motives

motiving

motivities

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Motiving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motiving. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of motiving

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

shofar

Popular in Grammar & Usage

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

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Popular

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

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes