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.
Musk & co are motivated only by burnishing their wealth while their opponents in the H1-B spat gain power by continually playing the immigration card. David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Dec. 2024 The results indicate that, yet again, voters were not particularly motivated by a desire for greater female representation. Lisa Lerer, New York Times, 26 Dec. 2024 Musk’s wealth has soared 70% since last month’s election, to about $450 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index — fueling progressive theories that he and others in tech are motivated by a desire to increase their net worth. David Ingram, NBC News, 26 Dec. 2024 While the participants are motivated by the promise of billions of dollars, the soldiers, who appear unconcerned with the game’s vicious nature, have chosen to work for the Front Man for other reasons. Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 26 Dec. 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 3 Jan. 2025.

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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