motivate

American  

[moh-tuh-veyt] / ˈmoʊ təˌveɪt /

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

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motivate British  

/ ˈməʊtɪˌveɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to give incentive to

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of motivate

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

Example Sentences

He took time to see "whether I'm motivated or it's the best decision for me" to return for the final year of his contract and "take on all of that responsibility".

From BBC

“A motivated user can still use tricks to get dangerous information out of them,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Other cables labelled him a "symbol of kleptocratic government and violent politics" and accused him of being "phenomenally corrupt" -- claims he rejected as politically motivated.

From Barron's

Specious ones to the left, weird ones to the right—all arise from motivated reasoning.

From The Wall Street Journal

The trouble with most theories about conspiratorial schemes—the weird ones of 4chan and the specious ones of the faculty lounges—is that they arise from motivated reasoning.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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