as in inspirational
serving or likely to arouse action or activity
A poster with a motivational message was hung above the water cooler. The conference will feature talks by some well-known motivational speakers.
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Recent Examples of motivational
My high school basketball coach was, depending on the day, either a motivational genius or a certified madman.
—
Mark Glende, Twin Cities, 27 Mar. 2026
With traces of the trap titans that paved the way, Kushington’s motivational raps filled his trapper-friendly The Streets Is Yours debut project, which arrived last March.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 27 Mar. 2026
The duo’s direct clashes whiplash with motivational complexity as well as physical lashing out.
—Bob Strauss, Houston Chronicle, 25 Mar. 2026
The duo’s direct clashes whiplash with motivational complexity as well as physical lashing out.
—Bob Strauss, San Francisco Chronicle, 24 Mar. 2026
There is more cackling when Jesus tries to explain Arteta’s latest motivational technique.
—Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Group moderators lead monthly motivational challenges that users can sign up for.
—Rachel Hale, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
Wood is a former model and actor who has since become a motivational speaker, according to his Facebook, and a breathwork instructor, according to his Instagram.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Mar. 2026
No amount of willpower or motivational self-talk can quiet a mind that automatically runs through every worst-case scenario.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 10 Mar. 2026
Mark Glende, Twin Cities, 27 Mar. 2026
With traces of the trap titans that paved the way, Kushington’s motivational raps filled his trapper-friendly The Streets Is Yours debut project, which arrived last March.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 27 Mar. 2026
The duo’s direct clashes whiplash with motivational complexity as well as physical lashing out.
—Bob Strauss, Houston Chronicle, 25 Mar. 2026
The duo’s direct clashes whiplash with motivational complexity as well as physical lashing out.
—Bob Strauss, San Francisco Chronicle, 24 Mar. 2026
There is more cackling when Jesus tries to explain Arteta’s latest motivational technique.
—Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Group moderators lead monthly motivational challenges that users can sign up for.
—Rachel Hale, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
Wood is a former model and actor who has since become a motivational speaker, according to his Facebook, and a breathwork instructor, according to his Instagram.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Mar. 2026
No amount of willpower or motivational self-talk can quiet a mind that automatically runs through every worst-case scenario.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 10 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motivational
Adjective
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Here's an inspirational story about a woman who left a stable corporate job to launch a startup.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
30 Mar. 2026
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Poland trailed to Albania’s opening goal just before halftime when its inspirational captain scored his 89th international goal.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The dynamic stage production, directed by Phillip M Church, features Justine Chichester, Shawn Buller and Laquantis Morton who deliver—verbatim—Taussig’s inspiring and evocative voice.—
Christina Mayo,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
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Attendees will receive a pair of wireless headphones and an earful of inspiring sounds.—
Ben Crandell,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Motivational.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motivational. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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