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
Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 22 Sep. 2025
Arrested repeatedly since the height of the Egyptian uprising in 2011, Abd El-Fattah was sentenced in 2021 to an additional five years in jail for spreading false news and assaulting a police officer – charges that human rights organizations say were politically motivated.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025
Big Think, 22 Sep. 2025
John’s third-place finish motivated him to commit to the sport, and his hard work paid off.
—Nasha Smith, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for motivated
Adjective
For instance, Time magazine pounced on findings from a recent Cato Institute study, particularly a data table breaking down, by ideology, politically motivated murders between January 1975 and September 2025.
—Verb
Too many corporate stakeholders assume frontline employees are motivated by the same quarterly goals that matter at HQ.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for motivated
Adjective
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When shopping for supplements, be diligent about choosing products that contain quality ingredients and are made by reputable companies.—
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Identifying stocks that combine strong fundamentals with cheap valuations should remain a priority for diligent investors.—
Verb
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Any student feeling unsettled or affected by the incident is encouraged to take advantage of the support.—
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After Jeremy encouraged Benny to show him his skills, Benny panicked.—
Adjective
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Jubilant, energetic and celebratory — for small moments and big.—
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With an intimate and energetic lens, the film pulls back the curtain on this iconic American gathering, and showcases the rhythms that bring the pow wow to life.—
Verb
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Jacksonville forced San Francisco to turn the ball over four times.—
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The veteran guard has joined a new team in August in three of the last four seasons and after training camp in the fourth, she was forced to adapt to a different set of teammates and plays in a hurry.—
Adjective
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After Europe claimed the Cup in Rome in 2023, Team USA is determined to reclaim it on home soil.—
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But things start to unravel when Abbie and Leila become determined to break free from the facility.—
Verb
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They are persuaded the jet doesn’t have enough fuel to cross international borders, and must stop to replenish before leaving Japanese territory.—
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Because of this, someone might follow your lead or be persuaded to agree with you.—
Adjective
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CEOs and global leaders will gather for a dynamic, invitation-only event shaping the future of business.—
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The machine’s dynamic focusing system ensures uniform marking, guaranteeing accuracy and consistency across production.—
Verb
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The fantastic scripts have enticed such esteemed and exciting talent, led by Daisy and Bella.—
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The sparkling candy paint and big rims enticed me.—
Cite this Entry
“Motivated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motivated. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
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