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.

“Your example as a parent matters more than anything, so that should motivate you to be financially responsible.”

From MarketWatch • Apr. 4, 2026

By prioritising this, he is seeking to motivate the party's core support and win back independence minded voters who have drifted away.

From BBC • Mar. 29, 2026

The night before the second verdict was delivered, Meta introduced a new stock option program to try to motivate its senior executives to grow the company at historic speed.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026

He says the hope it engenders can not only help people cope emotionally with a cancer diagnosis but can even motivate them to seek treatment.

From Slate • Mar. 29, 2026

And he had entertained the thought that the time might never come, that the promise of the game was something to motivate his studies and nothing more.

From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern

Vocabulary lists containing motivate

List 5

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Mother's Day Words: What Mothers Do

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