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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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
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
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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
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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
Verb
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Sessions testified as a defense witness on Monday that Rivera enlisted him in 2017 to persuade Maduro to step down and hold democratic elections in Venezuela.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
1 May 2026
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While the Scandinavian interior might persuade you to spend the weekend lounging on the sheepskin rug or admiring the view from the wrap-around windows, the true perks exist beyond the property’s four walls.—
Erika Owen,
Architectural Digest,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy botched an uncontested breakout pass, and Tage Thompson hounded Fraser Minten to force a turnover.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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The resulting uproar forced the resignation of the chief Sinaloa prosecutor.—
Steve Fisher,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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His frame and traits are enticing.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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Office renovations and conversions in Charlotte Post-COVID, office towers have to either entice people to come back to the cubicle or change uses.—
Caitlin McGlade,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The music that we were inspired by at that time and looking to as luminaries never had a broad appeal.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
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The hotel’s 42 guest rooms–all of which have balconies with city views, soft furnishings made from upcycled kimonos and sakiori weavings, parquet flooring inspired by tatami patterns and Nagoya tiles in the bathrooms–occupy two additional floors below the club spaces.—
Terry Ward,
Robb Report,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Other options, such as red light therapy caps, are non-invasive devices that use low-level light therapy to stimulate hair follicles and increase density.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Apr. 2026
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Rachel Barber The Fed typically lowers its benchmark rate to stimulate the economy by making borrowing costs cheaper, which can indirectly lower interest rates on auto loans, personal loans, and credit cards.—
Rachel Barber,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The 29-year-old left-hander induced a double-play grounder from Jerar Encarnacion to end the threat.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
2 May 2026
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With Philadelphia applying pressure, Winn shattered Trea Turner’s bat to induce a 5-4-3 double play, recording the first two outs of the inning.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Motivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motivate. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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