motivate

Meaning

1. (transitive) To provide someone with an incentive to do something; to encourage; to actuate.
2. (transitive) To animate; to propel; to cause to take action.

Synonyms

stimulate

prompt

move

inspire

incite

encourage

arouse

drive

impel

induce

provoke

activate

actuate

motive

excite

cause

propel

urge on

justify

push

spur

instigate

prod

urge

occasion

organise

organize

originate

quicken

root for

shove

stir up

substantiate

thrust

turn on

validate

wag

warrant

work

backslap

motivation

give reasons

account for

incentivise

animate

bestir

budge

cheer

cheer up

circumstantiate

embolden

energize

enthuse

excuse

exhilarate

explain away

found

galvanize

ginger up

ground

guarantee

incline

influence

irritate

legitimize

make out

oblige

Translations

motiver

motivar

motivieren

motiveren

provoquer

incitar

inciter

anregen

veranlassen

pousser

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈməʊ.tɪ.veɪt/

Etymology

From motive + -ate (verb-forming suffix). Compare French motiver.