MOTIVATION Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

motivation

noun

ˌmō-tə-ˈvā-shən

Definition of motivation

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

Relevance

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 But the new report notes that the AI agents spent considerably more time on this message board discussing those cybersecurity challenges that were extremely difficult, suggesting the agents had a high motivation to solve them. — Emily Forlini, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026 No political motivations, no going on every talk show screaming about how this side is wrong of that side is wrong. — Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2026 But cheating on non-cyber tests suggested that the misbehavior might be rooted more deeply, said Jeffrey Ladish, whose organization, Palisade Research, studies the capabilities and motivations of AI agents. — Reuters, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2026 The survey found that more than a quarter of brand-conscious clothes shoppers say the best-quality products were their main motivation, compared with 17 percent of price-conscious shoppers. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for motivation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for motivation

Noun

Investors are also betting on a future DeepSeek listing in the mainland, said Wayne Shiong, managing partner at Argo Venture Partners, as the startup risks an exodus of senior engineers without financial incentives to stay.

— Anniek Bao,Elaine Yu, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Instead, the law provides the city with an incentive to dangle before the team.

— Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of incentive

Noun

The impetus was Steven Spielberg’s Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, which contains gory scenes that are definitely too intense for young kids but more appropriate for teens, and thus, the PG-13 rating was born.

— Kara Nesvig, Parents, 29 Aug. 2026
The maintenance needed on the 368,000 miles of roads in America’s national forests was one impetus for the Roadless Rule in 2001.

— Patrick Parenteau, The Conversation, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of impetus

Noun

Angela recalled him providing clothing, shoes and money to people experiencing homelessness, along with the words of encouragement that came naturally to him.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026
As captured by a parent, a note that Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library sent to its graduates includes kind words and encouragement from the star.

— Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of encouragement

Browse Nearby Words

motivating

motivation

motivational

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Motivation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motivation. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of motivation

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on motivation

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

recalcitrant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes