1) Activate 2) Arouse 3) Drive 4) Goad 5) Impel 6) Incite 7) Inspire 8) Prod 9) Provoke 10) Rouse 11) Stimulate 12) Stir 1) Actuate 2) Arouse 3) Cause 4) Encourage 5) Enthuse 6) Fire with enthusiasm 7) Give an incentive for action 8) Give incentive to 9) Impel 10) Incite 11) Inspire to act 12) Instigate 13) Light a fire under 14) Make 15) Move 16) Prompt 17) Propel 18) Rouse 19) Stir 20) To animate 21) To cause to take action 
• (n.) To provide with a motive; to move; impel; induce; incite.
Mo'ti·vate transitive verb [ imperfect & past participle -vated ; present participle & verbal noun -vating .] [ From Motive , noun ] To provide with a motive; to move; impel; induce; incite. - - 
[v] - give an incentive for action
to provide with a motive or motives; incite; impel.
give an incentive for action[NAEP glossary] give an incentive for action