1. (

• motivate ,
• actuate ,
• propel ,
• move ,
• prompt ,
• incite

) give an incentive for action; "This moved me to sacrifice my career" ;

2. (

• incite ,
• instigate ,
• set_off ,
• stir_up

) provoke or stir up; "incite a riot"; "set off great unrest among the people" ;

3. (

• prod ,
• incite ,
• egg_on

) urge on; cause to act; "The other children egged the boy on, but he did not want to throw the stone through the window" ;