motivate

[moh-tuh-veyt]

verb (used with object)

motivated, motivating 

1. to provide with a motive, or a cause or reason to act; incite; impel.

   Synonyms: cause, prompt, provoke, move, induce

motivate

/ ˈməʊtɪˌveɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to give incentive to

Other Word Forms

• motivator noun
• demotivate verb (used with object)
• nonmotivated adjective
• remotivate verb (used with object)
• unmotivated adjective
• unmotivating adjective
• well-motivated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of motivate¹

First recorded in 1860–65; motive + -ate ¹

Example Sentences

“What’s motivating me is here are real, live people who are being adversely affected,” he said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Interim coach Terrence Whitehead and his players are motivated to win for coach Robert Garrett, who has been on administrative leave all season.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"They are very food motivated and eager to dance when they think there is a possibility of being fed," says Alayna Mackiewicz of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Read more on Science Daily

The group is motivated by that thought, Verse said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

However, analysts say these are often motivated by competition for resources, such as water or land, rather than religion.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• drive 
• excite 
• galvanize 
• incline 
• inspire 
• persuade 
• prompt 
• propel 
• provoke 
• spark 
• spur 
• sway 
• trigger