Synonyms

motivator

American

[moh-tuh-vey-ter] / ˈmoʊ təˌveɪ tər /

noun

a person or thing that gives people an incentive or reason for acting.

He's a great teacher and coach—a master motivator both in the classroom and on the basketball court.
Money is important, but often it isn't the primary motivator when a candidate accepts a job offer.

Other Word Forms

demotivator noun

Etymology

Origin of motivator

motivat(e) ( def. ) + -or ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In a 2022 AAA survey, 77% of respondents said saving money on gas was their primary motivator for purchasing an electric vehicle.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 10, 2026

Companies pushing AI adoption on employees through fear are using the wrong motivator.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 18, 2025

“He’s a worker and I think he’s a motivator and I’m all in,” Roberts said.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 11, 2025

If a top manager were just a good coach or motivator, employees would show big gains while serving under the top manager, and the gains would fade once the high-performing leader left the scene.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 10, 2025

I believe that economic incentive is crucial as a motivator, especially in a consumer-driven society.

From "Counting by 7s" by Holly Goldberg Sloan

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023