motivate

[ moh-tuh-veyt ]
/ ˈmoʊ təˌveɪt /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR motivate ON THESAURUS.COM

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.

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to call out to in order to stop, attract attention, ask aid, etc.
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Origin of motivate

First recorded in 1860–65; motive + -ate1

OTHER WORDS FROM motivate

Words nearby motivate

motion picture, motion sickness, motion study, motion work, motionless, motivate, motivation, motivation research, motivational research, motive, motive power
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to motivate

prompt, inspire, propel, sway, excite, drive, trigger, galvanize, spark, provoke, spur, persuade, incline, move, actuate, pique, arouse, quicken, lead, suggest

Example sentences from the Web for motivate

British Dictionary definitions for motivate

motivate
/ (ˈməʊtɪˌveɪt) /

verb

(tr) to give incentive to

Derived forms of motivate

motivator, 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