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.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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.
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of motivated
Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 29 Apr. 2026
Consequently, reactions to being selected on Day 3 range from anger to feeling blessed to being humbled to being motivated to be better.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
Scott Soshnick, Sportico.com, 30 Apr. 2026
The agency does not have the power to enforce these rules, but the disaster motivated many countries to comply with regulations.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for motivated
Adjective
Trump has also dismissed or sought to dismiss dozens of officials in firings that critics have called politically motivated.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 29 Apr. 2026
Consequently, reactions to being selected on Day 3 range from anger to feeling blessed to being humbled to being motivated to be better.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
Instead, this move appears motivated by the creation of more slots for teams from the biggest conferences, like the SEC and Big Ten, to participate in the event.
—Scott Soshnick, Sportico.com, 30 Apr. 2026
The agency does not have the power to enforce these rules, but the disaster motivated many countries to comply with regulations.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for motivated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motivated
Adjective
-
These trees need proper attention to grow to their full potential—pruning is essential, as is being diligent against pests.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Defenseman Jacob Moverare was highlighted with the Daryl Evans Youth Hockey Service Award for his diligent and enthusiastic work with the Kings’ learn-to-play program.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Tickets are available now, and early purchase is encouraged.—
Markis Hill,
Kansas City Star,
3 May 2026
-
Those with information about Taffur’s whereabouts have been encouraged to contact the NMPD at 305-891-8111.—
Raven Brunner,
PEOPLE,
3 May 2026
Adjective
-
The Harbour The Harbour will be an outdoor theme park with both wet and dry experiences inspired by Asia's most energetic cities.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
4 May 2026
-
The awkward catching-up process turns into energetic conversations about race, relationships, class, status and rehabilitation, then shifts to deep familial spiritual bonding.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
Though embedded in society, these young characters are Kaspar Hauser-like figures, spectrally isolated from the signifying world, forced to construct meaning for themselves, from the ground up.—
James Wood,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
Liz Leone, who has 52 apartments in Las Vegas and is part of the lawsuit, said the moratorium almost forced her out of business.—
Michael Casey,
Fortune,
3 May 2026
Adjective
-
Church went to the Holy Land in search of sublimity; Twain fastened on the absurdities of those determined to find it.—
Sebastian Smee,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
The dog was also determined to be OK.—
Riley Rourke,
CBS News,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
That performance persuaded Combs to run Dust Commander 15 days later in the 1 1/8-mile Blue Grass Stakes.—
Neil Milbert,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
From there, partiers mingle in the lobby, pose for photographs on a red carpet, and search out any celebrities who have been persuaded to show up.—
Shane Harris,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Renewables require a more dynamic grid, more energy storage, and a wider range of power sources to compensate for their intermittency.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
7 May 2026
-
This week, Metro is set to unveil the first part of a nine-mile subway under Wilshire, one of the most dynamic and traffic-clogged stretches of Los Angeles.—
National Correspondent,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
That allegedly enticed consumers to spend more to purchase the new devices.—
Queenie Wong,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
-
This plan includes guest worker programs, clear pathways for immigrants and their families who are here seeking to make a better life for their families and who were enticed to come here by the prior federal administration.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Motivated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motivated. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
