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 McNeal added that his second year in the offense has given him more confidence in the scheme and motivated him to get stronger to contribute in the run game. — Alejandro Hernandez, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026 The convention will help bring the party together after a series of tough primaries and get the base motivated, Gruters said. — Zac Anderson, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026 Have Obsession and Backrooms motivated you to make another horror movie? — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2026 But Ting is still motivated by a drive to give other languages a fighting chance in a world dominated by English- and Mandarin Chinese-AI. — Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for motivate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for motivate

Verb

By taking stem cells from a host’s own body and encouraging them to differentiate before mixing them with a commercially available, soluble matrix gel, researchers may have cracked the most critical problems in the transplant process.

— Mike McRae September 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
The bark can also be stripped from the branch, called girdling, which encourages faster root growth.

— Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of encourage

Verb

But persuading other American companies to follow Chevron into Venezuela remains one of Washington’s biggest challenges.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2026
Proponents may face an uphill battle persuading Newsom to sign the bill, which creates a unique revenue stream to pay for the program.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of persuade

Verb

As more cars wrecked behind the incident, NASCAR was forced to throw the caution flag — freezing the field with Preece in front.

— Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Sometimes, operators were forced to drain one pond and divert its water to save fish in another, the Hungarian Aquaculture and Fisheries Inter-branch Organization said in early August.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of force

Verb

The high-concept thriller stars Valeria Bruni Tedeschi as a demonic character called The Stranger, who entices a young mother played by Jasmine Trinca into forging a Faustian pact.

— Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 3 Sep. 2026
All of this casts doubt on whether the event will pull the kind of star power that entices TV networks to break their regular prime-time programming and compel viewers to skip an NFL game to tune in.

— Daniel Strauss, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of entice

Verb

Chelsea, despite missing out on a late move for Lamine Camara, and Tottenham have improved considerably, but that is more a reflection of previous dysfunction — and a lighter schedule — than inspired recruitment.

— Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
The museum plaza’s sweeping bridge creates a canopy of welcoming shade (inspired by Expo Park’s own trees), which the city — particularly this part — desperately needs.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of inspire

Verb

Chan’s parents always treated their back pain from laborious food industry jobs with acupuncture and cupping, the practice of using cups or suction on the skin to stimulate blood flow and the flow of chi, or energy.

— Cara Kelly, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
Featured in over-the-counter topical products, the vitamin A derivative is found ubiquitously in anti-aging skin-care products, selected for its ability to increase cell turnover and stimulate collagen.

— Ellie Davis, Vogue, 28 Aug. 2026