motivate

verb

mo·​ti·​vate ˈmō-tə-ˌvāt How to pronounce motivate (audio)
motivated; motivating

transitive verb

: to provide with a motive : impel
questions that excite and motivate youth
She was motivated by a desire to help children.
motivative 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.
For women like Cecilia, seeing 4B continue to build momentum is still enough of a motivating factor to continue posting about the trend and partaking in it. Kalhan Rosenblatt, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024 While the national nonprofit organization was referring to commercial spaces, the same issues can motivate homeowners too, particularly if there’s a family member who would be exceptionally impacted by a fall. Jamie Gold, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 The rumors allegedly led to bomb threats at school and city buildings that were allegedly motivated by Trump's claims, USA Today reported at the time. Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024 Outrage over his brutal death, depicted in the 2014 film Selma, reportedly motivated advocates to march on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Alabama a month later. Tracy Scott Forson, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for motivate 

Word History

First Known Use

1836, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of motivate was in 1836

Dictionary Entries Near motivate

Cite this Entry

“Motivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/motivate. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

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 adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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