motivate

[moh-tuh-veyt] / ˈmoʊ təˌveɪt /

VERB

stimulate, instigate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

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

STRONG

actuate arouse bring cause dispose draw fire goad goose impel incite induce innervate inspirit lead move pique predetermine predispose quicken rouse sound suggest whet

WEAK

egg on give incentive innerve prevail upon set afoot set astir touch off

Antonyms

STRONGEST

check discourage dissuade halt hinder prevent repress retard stop

STRONG

bore calm delay dishearten dull quiet slow

WEAK

depress disconcert

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Rams architects Les Snead and Sean McVay can still adroitly motivate a player without pressing too hard.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2026

I didn't have anyone to motivate me, so I motivated myself.

From BBC • May 28, 2026

Hospital director Srimant Kumar Mishra said the most difficult part is to motivate patients to be operated on.

From Barron's • May 27, 2026

To motivate research, the insurers could promise a portion of the realized savings to the researchers who drove the discovery.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 13, 2026

“Well, are you going to motivate people to bring peace to war- torn nations, or are you going to motivate people to join a cult and drink the Kool-Aid?”

From "Beauty Queens" by Libba Bray

Vocabulary lists containing motivate

List 5

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