motivate

[ moh-tuh-veyt ]
See synonyms for motivate on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object),mo·ti·vat·ed, mo·ti·vat·ing.
  1. to provide with a motive, or a cause or reason to act; incite; impel.

Origin of motivate

1
First recorded in 1860–65; motive + -ate1

Other words for motivate

Other words from motivate

  • mo·ti·va·tor, noun
  • de·mo·ti·vate, verb (used with object), de·mo·ti·vat·ed, de·mo·ti·vat·ing.
  • non·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, adjective
  • un·mo·ti·vat·ing, adjective
  • well-mo·ti·vat·ed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use motivate in a sentence

  • But even these directly homicidal crowds invariably represent themselves as motivated by moral idealism and righteous indignation.

    The Behavior of Crowds | Everett Dean Martin
  • Nations in general do not go to war over principles because they are not motivated by principles in their historical course.

    The Psychology of Nations | G.E. Partridge
  • Cannibalism by adults on newborn young in times of drought may be motivated by the acute need for moisture and nutritious food.

  • If motivated at all its guidance comes from something superindividual, and that something is social value.

    Social Value | B. M. Anderson
  • Whatever the final product, they are invariably presented as being motivated by liberal idealism and progress.

    Revolution | Dallas McCord Reynolds

British Dictionary definitions for motivate

motivate

/ (ˈməʊtɪˌveɪt) /


verb
  1. (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