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.
Film incentives are essentially tax credits that motivate film and television productions to work in certain states. Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 May 2025 Police didn’t comment on what may have motivated the killings, or what led them to Collins and his teenage accomplice, but said the investigation is ongoing. Mitchell Willetts, Kansas City Star, 27 May 2025 Fear of a similar democratic collapse motivated Americans like Bass after World War II. John Blake, CNN Money, 26 May 2025 Huang said the restrictions have cut Nvidia’s market share in China from 95% to 50% and motivated the country to make its own chips faster. Julie Coleman, CNBC, 23 May 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Motivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/motivate. Accessed 5 Jun. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on motivate

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