motivate
verb (used with object)
was motivating
-
past progressiveof motivate.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Buffett offered kind words about Walmart’s potential to succeed, but the snub was motivating for company executives at the time, the person said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 3, 2026
“What was motivating her was to protect the rest of her family as long as possible,” Bird says.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 2, 2025
If you were on board with Musk's mission, that single-minded focus was motivating, he said, and helped fuel regular 13 plus-hour days on the job.
From BBC ● Feb. 5, 2025
What was it that was motivating these people?
From Salon ● Oct. 22, 2023
The just realization had come to him during the preceding night that no ordinary desire for foreign travel was motivating my voyage.
From Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda
