easy
Kind feedback can motivate students to improve.
What does Motivate mean?
Motivate means inspire someone to act and keep trying.
Dictionary definition
To give someone a reason or energy to take action and keep trying.
Example sentences
Motivate in a sentence
medium
The captain motivated the team during a hard game.
hard
A clear purpose can motivate long-term effort when progress feels slow.
Writing practice
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Quick practice
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Practice the meaning of Motivate
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
What does motivate mean?
The correct answer matches the meaning of motivate.
Practice 2
Which word is closest in meaning to motivate?
Inspire is close in meaning to motivate.
Practice 3
Which word or phrase is a contrast for motivate?
Discourage contrasts with motivate.
Practice complete
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Pronunciation coach
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Motivate
Voice settings
Sounds like
moh · tuh · vayt · strongest beat: moh
Tap each sound part, then blend the whole word together.
Learn
WordMotivate.
Partverb.
MeaningMotivate means inspire someone to act and keep trying.
ExampleExample: Kind feedback can motivate students to improve.
Word breakdown
3 syllables. Say each part, then blend the word.
- Syllables
- moh · tuh · vayt
- Strongest beat
- moh
- Ending
- vayt
- Tip
- Put a little extra energy on moh.
Your turn
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Synonyms
Words like Motivate
Antonyms
Opposite words
discourageCan be used as a contrast for motivate in some contexts.
deterCan be used as a contrast for motivate in some contexts.
Synonym practice
Want to practice motivate synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "The coach tried to motivate the team before the race," then compare close word choices. Practice motivate synonyms.
Word family
Motivate word family
Base word
motivate
noun
motivation
The reason or drive to act.
adjective
motivated
Ready and willing to act.
Related words
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Learning activities
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