as in incentive
something that arouses action or activity
fear of failing should be plenty of motivation to study for the test
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of motivation
Developing motivations occurs through a process, and a sports metaphor helps capture this idea.
—
Deborah Mower,
The Conversation,
2 July 2026
When asked about players having a chip on their shoulder and using negative comments as motivation, manager Craig Counsell didn’t deny its place.
—
Sahadev Sharma,
New York Times,
1 July 2026
Variety heard that test screenings had been positive, but the studio still chose to exit, raising eyebrows about its motivations.
—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
30 June 2026
It was perceived by many as shot at the quality of African national teams and also served as motivation for the 10 African teams that made the tournament.
—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for motivation
Deborah Mower,
The Conversation,
2 July 2026
When asked about players having a chip on their shoulder and using negative comments as motivation, manager Craig Counsell didn’t deny its place.
—
Sahadev Sharma,
New York Times,
1 July 2026
Variety heard that test screenings had been positive, but the studio still chose to exit, raising eyebrows about its motivations.
—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
30 June 2026
It was perceived by many as shot at the quality of African national teams and also served as motivation for the 10 African teams that made the tournament.
—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for motivation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motivation
Noun
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Nearly a year after the expiration of a $7,500 federal tax incentive for new electric vehicles, California is stepping in to try to motivate buyers to go electric.
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The attack shocked Monaco, a coastal playground for the rich and famous known for its tax-friendly incentives, royal family and Formula 1 Grand Prix.
Noun
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Whether the impetus is to satisfy a desire for seclusion or to achieve the investment benefits that development allows, these three properties, triangulated across the globe, open up new frontiers and ways of living.
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Not much separated these two teams over 90 minutes, with limited attacking impetus and much of the game being played in midfield.
Noun
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Once all but deserted, the town experienced a revival in 1965, when artists and musicians began to flock there after encouragement from the Yugoslav government.
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Alexandria government roasted for absurd anti-fireworks tweet The government of Alexandria tweeted Wednesday a blunt warning about fireworks — and encouragement to snitch on your neighbors.
Noun
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But if productivity growth is low, then stimulus just turns into inflation—too many dollars chasing too few goods.
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By integrating smart shades into the components of major smart home ecosystems (those supporting Matter, Thread, Zigbee, or Z-Wave specifically), these systems can react to real-time stimuli.
Cite this Entry
“Motivation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motivation. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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