Sample sentences for MOTIVATE - verbalworkout.com

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Definition

to make someone want to do something

We pay low salary, but high commission to motivate our salespeople to work hard and smart.

motivate = make someone want to do something

She is not a very motivated student.

motivated = enthusiastic (wanting to do something)

Authorities believe the crime was racially motivated.

motivated = done for the reason just stated

She is motivated by a sincere desire to help others.

motivated = made to want to do something

The opposing player's tweet motivated the team to want a win.

motivated = made someone want to do something

Increased price will motivate increased production.

motivate = provide a reason (to make something happen)

I think the decision was motivated by self-interest.

motivated = provided with a reason (to do something)

In many ways, the things motivating me now are the same as they were back when I was playing Pop Warner.
Tim Tebow -- Through My Eyes
"It's just been my experience that some kinds of working relationships are better motivated by fear than by monetary gain."
Stephenie Meyer -- Breaking Dawn
I don't know a lot about my father's life before World War II or the reasons that motivated him to leave us with my mother in Wisconsin.
W. William Winokur -- The Perfect Game
It is the whole secret of their power—that it was self-sufficient, self-motivated, self-generated.
Ayn Rand -- The Fountainhead
Norris and Taft, it is argued, were motivated more by blind isolationism than Constitutional principles.
John F. Kennedy -- Profiles in Courage
The smells of antiseptic and astringent seemed to energize him, and the feelings generated by human trauma and fear seemed to motivate him.
Sampon Davis, et. al. -- We Beat the Street
For all I know, I'm on live television at this very moment while commentators try to analyze what could possibly have motivated me to kill Coin.
Suzanne Collins -- Mockingjay
I was lethargic, unmotivated.
John Grogan -- Marley & Me

(editor's note: The prefix "un-" in unmotivated means not and reverses the meaning of motivated. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky.)

He was exceedingly motivated to get clients to the summit, especially a celebrity client like Sandy Hill Pittman.
Jon Krakauer -- Into Thin Air
I opened my eyes and saw a room full of flowers, and their scent motivated me further.
Nicholas Sparks -- The Notebook
It was supposed to do wonders for children like Eliza, bright but unmotivated, who would rather shovel manure than read.
Judy Blume -- In the Unlikely Event

(editor's note: The prefix "un-" in unmotivated means not and reverses the meaning of motivated. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky.)

In fact, I think his visits are largely motivated by his need for a nap.
Suzanne Collins -- Mockingjay
You said partly motivated.
Ted Dekker -- BoneMan's Daughters

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