unmotivated

/ˌʌnˈməʊtɪveɪtɪd/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌʌnˈməʊtɪveɪtɪd/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌən-ˈmō-tə-ˌvā-təd How to pronounce unmotivated (audio)/ (ame, mw)

unmotivated — adjective

  • unmotivatedpositive
  • more unmotivatedcomparative
  • most unmotivatedsuperlative

1. not feeling enough desire or energy to start something or put real effort into i

1.形容詞B2
釋義

not feeling enough desire or energy to start something or put real effort into it

例句

Nora felt unmotivated to answer emails after the weekend argument.

unmotivated + to-infinitive pattern

Karim looked unmotivated in training and stopped chasing loose balls.

predicative use: seem/look + unmotivated

同義詞
  • apathetic

    stronger and more about not caring at all, not just lacking energy

  • listless

    focuses more on low energy or weak physical spirit

  • reluctant

    focuses on not wanting one action, not a broader loss of drive

  • lazy

    more judgmental; suggests a habit rather than a temporary state

反義詞
  • motivated

    having a clear desire to act or work hard

  • driven

    stronger; suggests powerful ambition and persistence

  • eager

    stresses readiness and willingness to begin

文法句型

feel/seem/look + unmotivated

unmotivated + to-infinitive

unmotivated + student/worker/performance

用法筆記

Usually describes a person's state, effort, or performance, especially in work, study, sport, or daily tasks. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense is about low drive, not about whether an action has a reason behind it.

常見錯誤

❌The printer is unmotivated today.
✅The printer is not working today.
💡'unmotivated' describes people or human effort, not machines.
❌I felt unmotivating after the long meeting.
✅I felt unmotivated after the long meeting.
💡use the -ed adjective for the person who lacks drive.

2. happening for no clear reason, or giving no sign of why it was done

2.形容詞C1
釋義

happening for no clear reason, or giving no sign of why it was done

例句

Police treated the stone thrown through the shop window as an unmotivated attack.

formal attributive use: unmotivated + attack / act

The judge called the slap unmotivated because the victim had said nothing.

predicative use in legal analysis

同義詞
  • baseless

    stresses that no supporting reason or grounds can be found

  • gratuitous

    stronger and more judgmental, especially for violence or cruelty

  • unexplained

    broader; something may be unexplained without clearly lacking motive

反義詞
  • motivated

    done for a clear reason or by a clear purpose

  • justified

    stronger; suggests the reason is not only clear but acceptable

文法句型

unmotivated + attack / act / change

seem / feel + unmotivated

用法筆記

Usually modifies an act, attack, change, or story event rather than a person's mood. Distinguish from sense 1: if someone is tired of working, they are unmotivated in the sense of lacking drive; if a violent act seems unmotivated, the question is what reason caused it.

常見錯誤

❌She felt unmotivated after three long shifts.
✅She felt demotivated after three long shifts.
💡this sense is about actions without a motive, not about losing personal drive because of a cause.
❌His apology sounded unmotivated.
✅His apology sounded half-hearted.
💡'unmotivated' here means lacking a reason, not lacking warmth or sincerity.