motivation

noun

ˌmō-tə-ˈvā-shən How to pronounce motivation (audio)
Definition of motivationnext
as in incentive
something that arouses action or activity fear of failing should be plenty of motivation to study for the test

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 motivation When asked about players having a chip on their shoulder and using negative comments as motivation, manager Craig Counsell didn’t deny its place. — Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 1 July 2026 The Special Edition is particularly noteworthy, and the motivation behind it has an unusual origin. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 2 July 2026 Teams Like Norway Are Trying Re-Create Home Conditions Of course, good nutrition isn’t the only motivation behind what Norway and other teams may be doing. — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026 For years, Governor Ron DeSantis has fought the College Board, the group that administers the AP test, over how its standardized tests portray many things, including race and gender but also the motivations of the Founding Fathers. — Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for motivation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motivation
  1. incentive
  2. impetus
  3. encouragement
  4. stimulus
Noun
  • Nearly a year after the expiration of a $7,500 federal tax incentive for new electric vehicles, California is stepping in to try to motivate buyers to go electric.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
  • The attack shocked Monaco, a coastal playground for the rich and famous known for its tax-friendly incentives, royal family and Formula 1 Grand Prix.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026
Definition of incentive
Noun
  • Whether the impetus is to satisfy a desire for seclusion or to achieve the investment benefits that development allows, these three properties, triangulated across the globe, open up new frontiers and ways of living.
    — Nielsen Dinwoodie, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
  • Not much separated these two teams over 90 minutes, with limited attacking impetus and much of the game being played in midfield.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 4 July 2026
Definition of impetus
Noun
  • Once all but deserted, the town experienced a revival in 1965, when artists and musicians began to flock there after encouragement from the Yugoslav government.
    — Tia Lovisa Moreira, Travel + Leisure, 2 July 2026
  • Alexandria government roasted for absurd anti-fireworks tweet The government of Alexandria tweeted Wednesday a blunt warning about fireworks — and encouragement to snitch on your neighbors.
    — David Hookstead OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of encouragement
Noun
  • But if productivity growth is low, then stimulus just turns into inflation—too many dollars chasing too few goods.
    — Bill Conerly, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • By integrating smart shades into the components of major smart home ecosystems (those supporting Matter, Thread, Zigbee, or Z-Wave specifically), these systems can react to real-time stimuli.
    — K.H. Koehler, USA Today, 30 June 2026
Definition of stimulus

Browse Nearby Words

motivating
motivation
motivational
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Motivation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motivation. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on motivation

Nglish: Translation of motivation for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about motivation

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