as in incentives
something that arouses action or activity
fear of failing should be plenty of motivation to study for the test
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of motivations
February 19 – March 20 Your motivations are extra powerful at the moment.
—
Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 6 Apr. 2026
What were the hostage takers’ motivations?
—Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 4 Apr. 2026
Hints to motivations can be found by looking at California’s net out-migration stats by state and comparing those relocations with rankings of states for various attributes.
—Jeff Goertzen, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2026
But does the film do enough to make her motivations feel earned and believable?
—Mike Miller, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Apr. 2026
The other is a patchy, unpersuasive psychodrama about the underlying motivations and years-later ramifications of an unspeakable act—or, in this case, an unrealized plan to commit an unspeakable act.
—Hannah Jocelyn, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
This shows that Americans with different mindsets exhibit a willingness to help others, even if their aspirations, motivations and demographic characteristics differ.
—George E. Mitchell, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2026
After all, as the script won't be based on the books, writers are free to put their own stamp on Reacher a bit more, fleshing out his personality and motivations.
—Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Luis Alvarado, a Republican political analyst, says that Bianco has political motivations of his own.
—Laurie Perez, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 6 Apr. 2026
What were the hostage takers’ motivations?
—Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 4 Apr. 2026
Hints to motivations can be found by looking at California’s net out-migration stats by state and comparing those relocations with rankings of states for various attributes.
—Jeff Goertzen, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2026
But does the film do enough to make her motivations feel earned and believable?
—Mike Miller, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Apr. 2026
The other is a patchy, unpersuasive psychodrama about the underlying motivations and years-later ramifications of an unspeakable act—or, in this case, an unrealized plan to commit an unspeakable act.
—Hannah Jocelyn, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
This shows that Americans with different mindsets exhibit a willingness to help others, even if their aspirations, motivations and demographic characteristics differ.
—George E. Mitchell, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2026
After all, as the script won't be based on the books, writers are free to put their own stamp on Reacher a bit more, fleshing out his personality and motivations.
—Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Luis Alvarado, a Republican political analyst, says that Bianco has political motivations of his own.
—Laurie Perez, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motivations
Noun
-
The abundant risks and perverse incentives of the sharenting industry have, in recent years, inspired some well-meaning legislation.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The core problem, attorney fee incentives, was left untouched.—
Tom Manzo,
Oc Register,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
All through the park, competitors and onlookers hit vapes and shout tips and encouragements into trees.—
Calin Van Paris,
Outside,
19 Mar. 2026
-
In October 2024 ahead of her own stay at MSG, Billie Eilish recorded encouragements to take the subways for environmental benefits.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Motivations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motivations. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
