MOTIVATE Synonyms: 74 Similar and Opposite Words

motivate

verb

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 Instead, this move appears motivated by the creation of more slots for teams from the biggest conferences, like the SEC and Big Ten, to participate in the event. —

Scott Soshnick, Sportico.com, 30 Apr. 2026 In particular, when politicians use demonizing or dehumanizing rhetoric to attack their opponents— for example, using words that depict their opponents as subhuman— this fosters extremism and helps motivate extremists to hurt their opponents physically. —

James Piazza, Twin Cities, 30 Apr. 2026 Then there was the Hollywood fear factor to motivate him. —

Assistant Editor, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026 For some among the new generation of answering their country's call to arms, a bitter lesson from Dutch history is motivating them. —

ABC News, 29 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for motivate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for motivate

Verb

Officials also encourage businesses to give customers a glimpse of how dim sum is made through live-streaming.

— Chris Lau, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
Becerra proposes to require cities and counties to approve or deny building permits within 90 days, loosening certain regulations for infill projects and reforming construction defect laws to encourage more construction of entry-level condos.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026