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motivate

mo·ti·vate

motivate

 
 
pronunciation:
mo t veIt
features:
Word Combinations (verb), Word Parts
part of speech: transitive verb
inflections: motivates, motivating, motivated
definition: to cause to move or act by giving incentive or inspiration.
The likely possibility of flunking out of college finally motivated him to study.The stirring speech motivated many citizens to look into how they might serve their country.She tried to motivate her high school students by demonstrating the importance of chemistry in the real world.
 
synonyms:
actuate, move
similar words:
arouse, dispose, encourage, enkindle, excite, goad, incite, inspire, kindle, prompt, provoke, rouse, spur, stimulate, stir up, tempt
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