MOTIVATE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does motivate mean? 

• MOTIVATE (verb)
  The verb MOTIVATE has 1 sense:

1. give an incentive for action

  Familiarity information: MOTIVATE used as a verb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• MOTIVATE (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they motivate    ... he / she / it motivates   
Past simple: motivated   
Past participle: motivated   
-ing form: motivating   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Give an incentive for action

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Synonyms:

actuate; incite; motivate; move; prompt; propel

Context example:

This moved me to sacrifice my career

Hypernyms (to "motivate" is one way to...):

cause; do; make (give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally)

Verb group:

affect; impress; move; strike (have an emotional or cognitive impact upon)

move (arouse sympathy or compassion in)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody to INFINITIVE

Sentence example:

They motivate him to write the letter

Derivation:

motivation (the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior)

motivation (the act of motivating; providing incentive)

motivation (the condition of being motivated)

motivative (impelling to action)

motivator (a positive motivational influence)

motive (the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior)

 Context examples 

Using imaging techniques, the researchers confirmed that the heat-sensing neurons reach into brain regions that control both nervous system responses and motivated behaviors.

(Brain cells that cool the body, NIH)

Studies of the motivating factors that influence health practices as well as efforts to modify these practices.

(Behavioral Research, NCI Thesaurus)

Functional Assessment of Multiple Sclerosis (FAMS) General Contentment: I feel motivated to do things.

(FAMS - Feel Motivated to Do Things, NCI Thesaurus)

You will suddenly be motivated to make everything ship-shape for the coming holidays.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

We intend to examine when rejectors are motivated to feel better about themselves and when they would rather put the rejectee's needs ahead of their own.

(Sometimes You Shouldn't Say Sorry, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

A question about whether a person feels or felt motivated to do things.

(Feel Motivated to do Things, NCI Thesaurus)

Research into the combination of knowledge, practices, and attitudes that motivate the actions we take regarding health.

(Health and Behavior, NCI Thesaurus)

This will be more motivating and hence more achievable for many people.

(Type 2 diabetes remission possible with ‘achievable’ weight loss, University of Cambridge)

It depends on genetic contributions to cognitive ability and other characteristics that motivate individuals to continue education, as well as substantial environmental contributions to educational success.

(Researchers identify genetic links to educational attainment, NIH)

"While both promotion and prevention focused individuals will be motivated to maintain good health, the former are more likely to employ approach strategies such as nutritional involvement.

(People with Positive Attitude More Likely to Eat Healthily, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)