MOTIVATIONS Synonyms: 33 Similar and Opposite Words

motivations

noun

plural of motivation

as in incentives

something that arouses action or activity fear of failing should be plenty of motivation to study for the test

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Recent Examples of motivations Those motivations, and the curiosity behind them, have lingered with me years later. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 6 July 2026 Variety heard that test screenings had been positive, but the studio still chose to exit, raising eyebrows about its motivations. — Alex Ritman, Variety, 30 June 2026 Being around people who feel familiar and supportive can tamp down your fear system and allow other motivations, like core values, to take over. — Literary Hub, 30 June 2026 The motivations are often more nuanced than the traditional image of online dating suggests. — Matthew Kayser updated July 6, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026 Indeed, suspicions of the motivations related to anything that would expose students to more (rather than less) of the neighbor waging war against Ukraine almost derailed the project. — Howard Lafranchi, Christian Science Monitor, 27 June 2026 And just as lighting a candle requires multiple causal factors – the presence of oxygen, a combustible object, a source of ignition – developing motivations requires multiple social and structural factors for that spark to grow into a flame. — Deborah Mower, The Conversation, 2 July 2026 In reality, each participating party often enters the relationship with different drivers, motivations and expectations. — Majeed Javdani, Forbes.com, 29 June 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for motivations

Noun

Unlike the federal tax credits that expired in September, these incentives offer an instant discount and don’t require buyers to apply for credit later.

— 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 incentives

Noun

All through the park, competitors and onlookers hit vapes and shout tips and encouragements into trees.

— Calin Van Paris, Outside, 19 Mar. 2026
In October 2024 ahead of her own stay at MSG, Billie Eilish recorded encouragements to take the subways for environmental benefits.

— Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 30 Oct. 2025

Definition of encouragements

Browse Nearby Words

motivational

motivations

motivative

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

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Synonyms of motivations

noun

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