motivator
noun
mo·ti·va·tor
ˈmō-tə-ˌvā-tər 
plural motivators
a
: a factor or situation that causes people to feel motivated to do something : incentive
Only a fool, though, would deny that money is a very real and basic need and, of course, a motivator of sorts.—
Robert W. Corl
Robert W. CorlExercising with someone else … can be a motivator.—Joanne Lannin
Joanne LanninAndre Harris, without basketball as a motivator, had slipped back into bad habits academically.—John Feinstein
John Feinstein
b
: a person who motivates others
But Romo's not an enabler; he's a motivator, says [Jessica] Simpson. "If I'm not feeling good about myself, he'll say, 'Get your butt up and go to the gym then!'"—Michelle Tan
Michelle TanExamples of motivator in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Given that dislike can be a motivator, this result helps Biden counter Trump's strong support.
—Gary Langer, ABC News, 12 July 2024
The ability to negotiate and overcome obstacles early in life can be a significant motivator and competitive edge later on.
—Ebony Flake, Essence, 10 July 2024
Educational opportunities, career development and life skill mentorship programs give inmates hope, a critical motivator to pivot from previous criminal choices.
—Jimmy Jenkins, The Arizona Republic, 9 July 2024
For people who are generally concerned about water quality, the Gulf’s dead zone might be a motivator, Ailts said.
—Madeline Heim, Journal Sentinel, 3 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for motivator 
Gary Langer, ABC News, 12 July 2024
The ability to negotiate and overcome obstacles early in life can be a significant motivator and competitive edge later on.
—Ebony Flake, Essence, 10 July 2024
Educational opportunities, career development and life skill mentorship programs give inmates hope, a critical motivator to pivot from previous criminal choices.
—Jimmy Jenkins, The Arizona Republic, 9 July 2024
For people who are generally concerned about water quality, the Gulf’s dead zone might be a motivator, Ailts said.
—Madeline Heim, Journal Sentinel, 3 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for motivator
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'motivator.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near motivator
Cite this Entry
“Motivator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/motivator. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
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