motivate
UK /ˈməʊ.tɪ.veɪt/ · US /ˈmoʊ.tɪ.veɪt/ verb
Forms motivates motivating motivated
- verb (transitive) To provide someone with an incentive to do something; to encourage; to actuate. “The weekly staff meeting was meant to motivate employees.”
- verb (transitive) To animate; to propel; to cause to take action. “He was motivated purely by self-interest.”
Synonyms
drive spur abet actuate goose fuel light a fire under send sting bring about cheer draw encourage egg on engender evoke excite foment goad grill propel move prompt incite
Antonyms
Etymology
From motive + -ate (verb-forming suffix). Compare French motiver.
Webster’s 1913
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “motivate”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details