motivate

[ moh-tuh-veyt ]

/ ˈmoʊ təˌveɪt /

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verb (used with object), mo·ti·vat·ed, mo·ti·vat·ing.

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

Nearby words

motion pictures, motion sickness, motion study, motion work, motionless, motivate, motivation, motivation research, motivational, motivational research, motivator

Origin of motivate

First recorded in 1860–65; motive + -ate¹

SYNONYMS FOR motivate

induce, move, provoke, prompt, cause.

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Related forms

mo·ti·va·tor, nounde·mo·ti·vate, verb (used with object), de·mo·ti·vat·ed, de·mo·ti·vat·ing.de·mo·ti·va·tor, nounnon·mo·ti·vat·ed, adjective

re·mo·ti·vate, verb (used with object), re·mo·ti·vat·ed, re·mo·ti·vat·ing.un·mo·ti·vat·ed, adjectiveun·mo·ti·vat·ing, adjectivewell-mo·ti·vat·ed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for motivate

Instructional materials and approaches that motivate, stimulate, and engage students.
What It Takes to Fix American Education|Jonah Edelman|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Democrats lost it, by being afraid to have a strong message and motivate their voters.
How the Lame Democrats Blew It|Goldie Taylor|November 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But he argued that the issue does motivate otherwise unlikely voters and could be a deciding factor in a close race.
Ganja Vs. Geezers in the Sunshine State|Ben Jacobs|November 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Trying to motivate the Allies, he offered his assistance and cooperation to the profession as a whole, pro bono.
My Grandfather's War: Recovering the Art the Nazis Stole|Anne Sinclair|October 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Needless to say, Democrats are hoping to use the issue to motivate their base.
Groundhog Day With Minimum Wage On Capitol Hill|Ben Jacobs|April 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Again, the competitive impulse can often be used to motivate drill.
How to Teach Religion|George Herbert Betts
This is needed to motivate effort and insure right impressions.
How to Teach Religion|George Herbert Betts
He had felt it before, but the feeling was strong enough now to motivate action.
Earthsmith|Milton Lesser
The essential thing about value is that it motivate our conduct.
Social Value|B. M. Anderson
They are used by the government as one of the economic levers intended to motivate enterprises toward greater efficiency.
Area Handbook for Romania|Eugene K. Keefe, Donald W. Bernier, Lyle E. Brenneman, William Giloane, James M. Moore, and Neda A. Walpole

British Dictionary definitions for motivate

motivate

/ (ˈməʊtɪˌveɪt) /

verb

(tr) to give incentive to

Derived Formsmotivator, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for motivate

motivate

1863, "to stimulate toward action," from motive + -ate (2); perhaps modeled on French motiver or German motivieren. Related: Motivated; motivating.

motivate

verb (used with object), mo·ti·vat·ed, mo·ti·vat·ing.

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Nearby words

Origin of motivate

Examples from the Web for motivate

British Dictionary definitions for motivate

motivate

verb

Word Origin and History for motivate

motivate