Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun motivation

3 senses of motivation

Sense 1
motivation, motive, need -- (the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior; "we did not understand his motivation"; "he acted with the best of motives")
       => psychological feature -- (a feature of the mental life of a living organism)

Sense 2
motivation -- (the condition of being motivated; "his motivation was at a high level")
       => condition, status -- (a state at a particular time; "a condition (or state) of disrepair"; "the current status of the arms negotiations")

Sense 3
motivation, motivating -- (the act of motivating; providing incentive)
       => act, deed, human action, human activity -- (something that people do or cause to happen)