motivate
verb
mo·ti·vate
ˈmō-tə-ˌvāt 
motivated; motivating
1
: to give (someone) a reason for doing something
questions that excite and motivate youth
She was motivated by a desire to help children.
2
: to be a reason for something
said that money did not motivate their decision
Examples of motivate in a Sentence
No one knows what motivated him to act in such a violent way.
Recent Examples on the Web
Guanipa, like many others, was imprisoned on accusations widely believed to be politically motivated.
—
Regina Garcia Cano, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2026
There also was no immediate indication that the conflict involved out-of-town visitors or was motivated by fan rivalry, according to a law-enforcement source.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2026
Two days after Jamarrien Monroe and his 5-year-old cousin were killed, police arrested Tyreion Nixon-Clark in connection with an unrelated homicide motivated by robbery in which the suspect arranged a meeting that the victim thought was to be a rifle sale, authorities said.
—Emerson Clarridge
updated February 6, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Feb. 2026
There are motivating factors at play that make DiGregorio and Haugsjaa continue this treacherous and invigorating pursuit.
—Greg Dudek, Boston Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for motivate
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Regina Garcia Cano, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2026
There also was no immediate indication that the conflict involved out-of-town visitors or was motivated by fan rivalry, according to a law-enforcement source.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2026
Two days after Jamarrien Monroe and his 5-year-old cousin were killed, police arrested Tyreion Nixon-Clark in connection with an unrelated homicide motivated by robbery in which the suspect arranged a meeting that the victim thought was to be a rifle sale, authorities said.
—Emerson Clarridge
updated February 6, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Feb. 2026
There are motivating factors at play that make DiGregorio and Haugsjaa continue this treacherous and invigorating pursuit.
—Greg Dudek, Boston Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for motivate
Cite this Entry
“Motivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/motivate. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
motivate
verb
mo·ti·vate
ˈmōt-ə-ˌvāt
motivated; motivating
: to provide with a reason for doing something : induce
Medical Definition
motivate
transitive verb
mo·ti·vate
ˈmōt-ə-ˌvāt
motivated; motivating
: to provide with a motive or serve as a motive for
motivate patients to change unhealthy lifestyles
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
