motivate

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

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

He wasn't the perennial spy, politi- cally or dogmatically motivated. — Terminal Compromise, Winn Schwartau
It seemed as if the controls were either dummies or had to be specially motivated. — The Secret of the Ninth Planet, Donald A. Wollheim
[C6-859] Ruby appears to have believed that some of those cancellations were motivated by the Weissman advertisement. — Report of the President's Commission on the Assassination of President John F. Kennedy, United States. Warren Commission

actuate, propel, move, prompt, incite

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