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.
McNeal added that his second year in the offense has given him more confidence in the scheme and motivated him to get stronger to contribute in the run game. — Alejandro Hernandez, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026 The convention will help bring the party together after a series of tough primaries and get the base motivated, Gruters said. — Zac Anderson, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026 Have Obsession and Backrooms motivated you to make another horror movie? — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2026 But Ting is still motivated by a drive to give other languages a fighting chance in a world dominated by English- and Mandarin Chinese-AI. — Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 27 Aug. 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 1 Sep. 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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