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
Dave Smith, Fortune, 8 Nov. 2025
Memphis struggled out of the gate on Friday night against a motivated Tulane Green Wave team that suffered an upset loss to UTSA in Week 10.
—Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2025
Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 30 Oct. 2025
Many individuals and groups have sharply criticized lawmakers for splitting the Kansas City area into three Republican-leaning districts, with some framing the move as racially motivated.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for motivated
Adjective
New York Attorney General Letitia James asked a federal judge Friday to dismiss a mortgage fraud case against her, calling it a vindictive and politically motivated prosecution brought at the behest of a president who regards her as an enemy.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 8 Nov. 2025
Memphis struggled out of the gate on Friday night against a motivated Tulane Green Wave team that suffered an upset loss to UTSA in Week 10.
—Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2025
Verb
This gap, according to the study, indicates a change in consumer behavior motivated by politics rather than the availability of different EVs or Tesla failing to bring out new products in recent years (apart from the polarizing and poorly selling Cybertruck, that is).
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 30 Oct. 2025
Many individuals and groups have sharply criticized lawmakers for splitting the Kansas City area into three Republican-leaning districts, with some framing the move as racially motivated.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for motivated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motivated
Adjective
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Macfadyen is diligent in his portrayal of an obviously unwell man, traumatized by his difficult childhood and never having received the proper care.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
6 Nov. 2025
-
That same day, Stein, 75, posted a photo of Akira to Instagram sharing the news and thanking authorities for their diligent work in tracking down those responsible for her death.—
Rachel DeSantis,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The city’s emergency overflow shelter is available to adults over 18, with capacity for dogs in kennels, but the office encouraged people who need a warm place to sleep to seek primary shelters as a first option.—
Austin Hornbostel,
Nashville Tennessean,
9 Nov. 2025
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During the end of the latter track, Lauper encouraged audience members to sing along and brought Salt-n-Pepa onstage to join in.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Raja’s energetic narration is relentlessly funny, even (or especially) when it’s turned to dark or disturbing events from his past.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
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But Isaacman has also garnered broad support within the commercial space industry, where he’s perceived as an energetic outsider ready to usher NASA into a new era.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
As a result, the government is now forced to sell even more oil on the black market at a discount to evade US government sanctions, one of the economists in Caracas told CNN.—
Stefano Pozzebon,
CNN Money,
11 Nov. 2025
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This was not the only notable injury on offense for the Packers in Week 9, as rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden was also forced to exit the game with a shoulder injury.—
Reice Shipley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Left in the dark Early in the pandemic, Florida was determined to keep a lid of secrecy on the spread of COVID-19 in long-term care facilities.—
Kevin G. Hall,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
-
In a landscape of fear and scarcity, where basic ingredients are nearly impossible to find, Lamia sets out on a determined journey throughout the big city in search of eggs, flour and sugar.—
Carole Horst,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The Running Point actress was spotted shopping for holiday presents last December with a hands-free bag strapped across her body, and just one 12-second TikTok clip persuaded us to dole out some change on a purse that’s just like hers.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
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Black Cincinnatians persuaded the city to grant them 30 extra days.—
Equal Justice Initiative,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Strong geomagnetic storms can also spark bright, dynamic auroras, sometimes much farther into mid-latitudes than normal.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Attendees experienced a dynamic mix of panel discussions, live performances, workshops, and industry mixers, all culminating in the Touring Awards Ceremony.—
Evan Burke,
Billboard,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Africa’s leading banking groups are targeting DR Congo, enticed by one of the continent’s fastest-growing economies and the promise of a lucrative mining sector, despite the ongoing conflict in the country’s east.—
Alexander Onukwue,
semafor.com,
4 Nov. 2025
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Miami should have purged the roster even more, shipping off starters for draft picks, but apparently none of the bids enticed Ross and his minions, who are the individuals really calling the shots now.—
Omar Kelly
November 4,
Miami Herald,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Motivated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motivated. Accessed 2 Dec. 2025.
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