motived

past tense of motive

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for motived
Verb
  • The man who was convicted of trying to kill Salman Rushdie is going on trial again, this time in a federal terrorism case that is probing deeper into what allegedly motivated the stabbing on a lecture stage in 2022.
    ABC News, ABC News, 22 July 2026
  • Their involvement, with support from the US, is in part motivated by the hope that, by investing in Syria’s infrastructure, the country can become a geopolitical buffer keeping Iranian influence out of the Levant.
    Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 20 July 2026
Verb
  • Quixotic aerialists twisted, turned and unfolded above the crowd, using flowing fabric and butterfly-inspired movements to mirror the creatures being celebrated.
    Sophia Buonpane, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Like many of his fellow countrymen, Buji was inspired by the thought that this collective crossing could somehow unlock his dream of reaching Spain and starting a new life in Europe.
    ABC News, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • For now, the Padres are only three games out of wild-card position and at least briefly energized by a tactical shift.
    Dennis Lin, New York Times, 26 July 2026
  • For 10 years, Party at the Polls has energized the voting experience with music, food, and culture.
    Kyle Lierman, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
Verb
  • Canning induced much chasing from Rockies hitters, sending a 3-0 lead to the game’s final third.
    Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 July 2026
  • But that was all the damage the Brewers could do in the inning as Webb induced a double-play grounder to escape trouble.
    Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 29 July 2026
Verb
  • In one incident, a child activated bear spray in a crowd; in another, officers recovered a gun after chasing another youth, police said.
    Nathan Pilling July 29, Kansas City Star, 29 July 2026
  • The right-handed closer is scheduled to be activated Wednesday — fittingly, when 40,000 fans will receive an Díaz bobblehead — after missing three months because of right elbow surgery.
    Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
Verb
  • Separated from her husband, Leslie became much more animated, the X-ray tech told police, rattling off the details of her abduction and fidgeting with a gold bracelet.
    Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 31 July 2026
  • No economic issue besides tariffs has animated Trump more than interest rates.
    Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 30 July 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Cite this Entry

“Motived.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motived. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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