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
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Recent Examples of motivate
The last step is for that space-faring species to really go for it, sending themselves or their robotic emissaries far and wide, colonizing every available corner of the galaxy, and if they are sufficiently motivated, the Universe.
—
ArsTechnica, 26 Mar. 2025
This denial could be motivated by the fear of admitting the presence of beings more advanced and therefore more powerful than us.
—David Chauvet, JSTOR Daily, 26 Mar. 2025
Similar concerns motivated the Obama administration to pursue the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a high-standard trade agreement negotiated among 12 countries around the Pacific Rim.
—Michael B. G. Froman, Foreign Affairs, 25 Mar. 2025
However, the film also remains firmly rooted in the question of what is motivating them to take on this task.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for motivate
ArsTechnica, 26 Mar. 2025
This denial could be motivated by the fear of admitting the presence of beings more advanced and therefore more powerful than us.
—David Chauvet, JSTOR Daily, 26 Mar. 2025
Similar concerns motivated the Obama administration to pursue the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a high-standard trade agreement negotiated among 12 countries around the Pacific Rim.
—Michael B. G. Froman, Foreign Affairs, 25 Mar. 2025
However, the film also remains firmly rooted in the question of what is motivating them to take on this task.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for motivate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motivate
Verb
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The goal of the tax subsidies was to encourage more Americans to save for retirement.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
20 Apr. 2025
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This is achieved through proper irrigation, mowing, and fertilization to encourage healthy plant development.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
19 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Another factor that might hamper Chelsea’s attempts to persuade Rak-Sakyi to stay is what has happened to his brother, Jesurun.—
Simon Johnson,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2025
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The administration is expected to return to the Supreme Court quickly in an effort to persuade the justices to lift their temporary order.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
19 Apr. 2025
Verb
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However, no amount of care or good intentions can prevent the sudden demolition of the brothers’ home, courtesy of a vague order from the IDF — for which the family is even forced to pay.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
11 Apr. 2025
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Due to the alligator's aggressive behavior, Department of Natural Resources contractors were forced to euthanize the reptile and remove it from the area.—
Doc Louallen,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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One reason is that in order to entice people to buy its stock, a company needs to offer potential shareholders something in return.—
Jenny Van Leeuwen Harrington,
CNBC,
8 Apr. 2025
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Those touches are some of the reasons that entice fans to buy from brands.—
John W. Dean,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Whether Coen can turn the Jaguars around hinges largely on his ability to remain true to himself, provide guidance to an equally unproven coaching staff and connect with and inspire an entire roster to catch his vision.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
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Garcia inspired a steady stream of social media wisecracks by pairing the red hat and shirt for his LIV Golf team, Fireballs GC, with bright yellow pants.—
Brooks Peck,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Greece started its golden visa program in 2013 to stabilize housing prices and stimulate growth in a country facing a recession, skyrocketing unemployment, and austerity measures imposed by international lenders.—
Meehika Barua,
HubSpot,
18 Apr. 2025
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The importance of daylight The infrared light found in daylight can modulate inflammation, stimulate collagen production, prevent neurodegeneration, and even optimize mitochondria, which produce energy inside our cells.—
Ana Morales,
Vogue,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Alvarado needed two pitches to end the game, inducing a lineout from Marlins infielder Xavier Edwards to preserve an 11-10 win.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
20 Apr. 2025
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Finally Streaming Companion The daunting experience of going on a vacation with a new flame’s friends goes from anxiety inducing to bloody awful in this horror-comedy.—
Savannah Salazar,
Vulture,
18 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Motivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motivate. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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