as in incentives
something that arouses action or activity
fear of failing should be plenty of motivation to study for the test
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Recent Examples of motivations
What investigators conclude about Robinson’s motivations may have far-reaching consequences beyond his own criminal case.
—
Connor Greene, Time, 17 Sep. 2025
When employers look past pedigrees and see workers’ singular abilities, histories, and motivations, skills gaps disappear.
—Ryan Stowers, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
So the personalities are different but the core motivations and attributes are there for all naval aviators.
—ArsTechnica, 15 Sep. 2025
Part of Alcon’s motivations for continuing to pursue the lawsuit relates to an upcoming TV series based on the movie.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 15 Sep. 2025
The neighbor, who denied any political motivations in the attack, pleaded guilty to assaulting a member of Congress was sentenced to eight months behind bars.
—Chris Boyette, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2025
Prieguez told the Herald that now his motivations have changed.
—Joey Flechas, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
Familiar names pepper the script, but characters’ circumstances, identities, and motivations have been significantly altered.
—Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
Its run time might be shorter, but its emotional essence, thematic core, and even the motivations that drive its characters would remain intact.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2025
Connor Greene, Time, 17 Sep. 2025
When employers look past pedigrees and see workers’ singular abilities, histories, and motivations, skills gaps disappear.
—Ryan Stowers, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
So the personalities are different but the core motivations and attributes are there for all naval aviators.
—ArsTechnica, 15 Sep. 2025
Part of Alcon’s motivations for continuing to pursue the lawsuit relates to an upcoming TV series based on the movie.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 15 Sep. 2025
The neighbor, who denied any political motivations in the attack, pleaded guilty to assaulting a member of Congress was sentenced to eight months behind bars.
—Chris Boyette, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2025
Prieguez told the Herald that now his motivations have changed.
—Joey Flechas, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
Familiar names pepper the script, but characters’ circumstances, identities, and motivations have been significantly altered.
—Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
Its run time might be shorter, but its emotional essence, thematic core, and even the motivations that drive its characters would remain intact.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motivations
Noun
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Green technologies may qualify for financial incentives.—
Michaila Byrne,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
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In the past few decades market mechanisms and financial incentives to address deforestation have been implemented, notably in regions with high rates of deforestation through jurisdictional REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) programs.—
Robert G. Eccles,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Ward and Curlee also started the app Counterbalance, which provides daily encouragements, recipes, community and more.—
Emy LaCroix,
People.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Motivations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motivations. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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