motivate

verb

mo·​ti·​vate ˈmō-tə-ˌvāt How to pronounce motivate (audio)
motivated; motivating
Synonyms of motivate

transitive verb

1
: to give (someone) a reason for doing something
questions that excite and motivate youth
She was motivated by a desire to help children.
2
: to be a reason for something
said that money did not motivate their decision
motivative
ˈmō-tə-ˌvā-tiv How to pronounce motivate (audio)
adjective

Examples of motivate in a Sentence

No one knows what motivated him to act in such a violent way.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Neither Duart nor Vidal-Duart returned calls from The Trib, but a spokesperson provided a statement saying their financial support was motivated by the attorney general’s efforts to protect children. — Kate Payne, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2026 The effort is backed by an uneasy alliance between the right-wing Make America Healthy Again movement and progressives, both motivated by concerns over food safety. — Elijah Wolfson, Washington Post, 26 Oct. 2026 To be sure, the exiting attorneys were motivated to depart by a range of reasons. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026 Some recent studies have highlighted addiction problems, and some organizations have raised alarm bells that the rise in youth gambling is a public health crisis, which has motivated policymakers to propose legislation to regulate sports betting. — Jake Angelo, semafor.com, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for motivate

Word History

First Known Use

1794, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of motivate was in 1794

Rhymes for motivate

See All Rhymes for motivate

Browse Nearby Words

motitation
motivate
motivated
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Motivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/motivate. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

motivate

verb
mo·​ti·​vate ˈmōt-ə-ˌvāt How to pronounce motivate (audio)
motivated; motivating
: to provide with a reason for doing something : induce

Medical Definition

motivate

transitive verb
mo·​ti·​vate ˈmōt-ə-ˌvāt How to pronounce motivate (audio)
motivated; motivating
: to provide with a motive or serve as a motive for
motivate patients to change unhealthy lifestyles
motivative
-ˌvāt-iv How to pronounce motivate (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on motivate

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for motivate

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