as in diligent
having a strong desire for personal advancement
He was lauded by faculty as an exceptionally hardworking, curious, and motivated student. The company was looking for motivated self-starters to fill the sales position.
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as in encouraged
to rouse to action or activity
The presence of treats motivated the dogs to obey their owner's commands. They drove a campaign to motivate voters to show up to the polls.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of motivated
Dan Mangan, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2026
However, the two sides have yet to connect on negotiations for a potential long-term deal, and the Cowboys do not appear motivated to do so at this point in time.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026
Cate Charron, IndyStar, 28 Mar. 2026
Dark, eerie, and paranoid (for good reason), the eight-episode season shifts back and forth from the casual grimness of an unwelcoming reality to the shocking frights of a stoner’s worst nightmare (the latter of which is shrewdly motivated by Rachel regularly smoking pot).
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for motivated
Adjective
Both of them denied any wrongdoing and said the prosecutions were politically motivated.
—Dan Mangan, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2026
However, the two sides have yet to connect on negotiations for a potential long-term deal, and the Cowboys do not appear motivated to do so at this point in time.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
Protesters tell IndyStar that they are motivated by a variety of issues, and their activism (and often their sign) is shaped by what concerns resonate with them most strongly.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 28 Mar. 2026
Dark, eerie, and paranoid (for good reason), the eight-episode season shifts back and forth from the casual grimness of an unwelcoming reality to the shocking frights of a stoner’s worst nightmare (the latter of which is shrewdly motivated by Rachel regularly smoking pot).
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for motivated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motivated
Adjective
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Some reviewers are unhappy with slow results — but Hers products are most effective when used consistently for a minimum of three months, and there’s no way of knowing how diligent these reviewers were.—
Rebecca Strong,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
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Herzog depicts the bushmen who aid Boyes as dignified, diligent and intelligent without romanticizing them while capturing the rugged beauty of the African landscape.—
Stuart Miller,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Given the Hornets’ record attendance this season, prompt action is encouraged due to expected high demand.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Apr. 2026
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This spring, he was encouraged by regaining strength and bat speed.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Those two youngsters happen to be a happily engaged, and happily naive, couple, and the series plays out exploring the dynamics between the two relationships, one young, loving and energetic, the other old, tired and toxic.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
30 Mar. 2026
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To support the flight, there has been a sharpening of space weather forecasting skills — an ability to better gauge the sun's activity and to help assure crew safety if a hazardous uptick in solar action rears its energetic head.—
Leonard David,
Space.com,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Now, as China prioritizes renewable energy over coal, Yang is ahead of the change his fellow workers are being forced to confront.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Apr. 2026
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Conflicting signals have set up a week in which investors are forced to position for starkly divergent outcomes.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The Santa Monica Pier was temporarily evacuated on Saturday afternoon as police investigated what was determined to be a non-credible bomb threat.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
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The determined plant can grow in many conditions, including sun or shade and wet or dry soil, displacing native species, disrupting local ecosystems, and even degrading riverbanks.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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By late 2015, Musk was persuaded.—
Ronan Farrow,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
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But these lopsided outcomes have not persuaded the media to treat the war as an American strategic success.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The dynamic stage production, directed by Phillip M Church, features Justine Chichester, Shawn Buller and Laquantis Morton who deliver—verbatim—Taussig’s inspiring and evocative voice.—
Christina Mayo,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
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Bringing all these together to shape the future of denim in a meaningful way is incredibly motivating, especially with the strength of our dynamic and experienced team.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The synopsis, just like the film's title, fails to prepare viewers for the level of chaos the film brings, which Matarazzo says enticed him.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
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At the same time, though, the excitement around AI infrastructure spending has waned, and now the market seems as spooked by it than enticed.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Motivated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motivated. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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