MOTIVATE Synonyms: 74 Similar and Opposite Words

motivate

verb

Definition of motivate

as in to encourage

to rouse to action or activity The presence of treats motivated the dogs to obey their owner's commands. They drove a campaign to motivate voters to show up to the polls.

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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 motivate But the themes that motivate the party faithful may not sit well with independents, who tend to recoil against partisan rancor. — Julio Borquez, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2026 Anti-Japanese sentiment had motivated Amino’s move from Los Angeles to New York in 1935; the US deemed East Coast Japanese populations as more dispersed and thus less of a threat. — Robert Sullivan, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2026 The perspective and agency of the protagonists shift, motivated by their desire for justice and reparations. — Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026 OpenAI’s Tuesday release does not include a solution to any of the remaining Millennium Prize problems, which were designated by mathematicians at the turn of the century as deep questions that could motivate wide-ranging discoveries. — Miriam Waldvogel, Washington Post, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for motivate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for motivate

Verb

Unlike many spas that focus on the healing effects of treatments, Kamalaya goes much deeper, encouraging guests to explore more emotional issues in a safe space.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
Still, Terry Strada, whose husband, Tom Strada, was killed in the attacks, said she was encouraged that more than 100 family members of 9/11 victims turned out and by the judges’ questions.

— Tom Winter, NBC news, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of encourage

Verb

So far, Siemens has managed to persuade companies to share their data in return for access to its AI model and the ability to request new use cases.

— Sam Forsdick, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026
Peril at End House features Christie fan favorites like Arthur Hustings and Chief Inspector Japp and is set in Cornwall, where Poirot and Hastings meet a young woman who is persuaded that someone is out to kill her.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of persuade

Verb

Without Carmella there as a potential wild card, the ladies arrive in Tokyo and are forced to retreat to their familiar shticks.

— Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026
Jones forced his religious and political views onto Levy throughout their relationship, according to prosecutors.

— Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of force

Verb

As the midterms near, leaders across the party have been meeting with MAHA activists, discussing potential openings with consultants, and rolling out food and environmental agendas meant to entice these voters.

— Daniel Payne, STAT, 7 Oct. 2026
Caruso has been charged with kidnapping, lewd or lascivious molestation, lewd or lascivious exhibition, luring or enticing a child, and child abuse inflicting mental injury.

— Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of entice

Verb

After coming across our insightful articles in the course of their online research, potential clients are often inspired to reach out for trip-planning assistance.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
This isn’t the first time a transformative technology has inspired predictions of mass job displacement.

— Mary Moreland, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of inspire

Verb

Eco effort Explora is a Certified B (or B Corp) company that works to address climate change, stimulate the local workforce, and provide benefits to the community by sourcing most of its products locally.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
The treatments also lowered the production of inflammatory signals that cause long-term swelling, and stimulated new blood vessel formation to nourish healing skin.

— Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of stimulate

Verb

Focusing on something introspective, such as breath, heartbeat or a growing and shrinking dot, can induce a near-hypnotic state that clears the mind.

— Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026
Focusing on something introspective, like your breath, your heartbeat or a growing and shrinking dot, can induce an almost hypnotic state that clears the mind.

— Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026