motive 1 of 2

noun

ˈmō-tiv How to pronounce motive (audio)
Definition of motivenext
1
as in matter
a major object of interest or concern (as in a discussion or artistic composition) the principal motive of the piece was introduced in the flute section

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in motif
a unit of decoration that is repeated all over something (as a fabric) decorated with a paisley motive

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in reason
something (as a belief) that serves as the basis for another thing the detective felt that the first suspect didn't have any motive for committing the crime

Synonyms & Similar Words

motive

2 of 2

verb

as in to motivate

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun motive contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of motive are goad, impulse, incentive, inducement, and spur. While all these words mean "a stimulus to action," motive implies an emotion or desire operating on the will and causing it to act.

a motive for the crime

In what contexts can goad take the place of motive?

The synonyms goad and motive are sometimes interchangeable, but goad suggests a motive that keeps one going against one's will or desire.

thought insecurity a goad to worker efficiency

When could impulse be used to replace motive?

The meanings of impulse and motive largely overlap; however, impulse suggests a driving power arising from personal temperament or constitution.

buying on impulse

When would incentive be a good substitute for motive?

The words incentive and motive are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, incentive applies to an external influence (such as an expected reward) inciting to action.

a bonus was offered as an incentive

When is inducement a more appropriate choice than motive?

Although the words inducement and motive have much in common, inducement suggests a motive prompted by the deliberate enticements or allurements of another.

offered a watch as an inducement to subscribe

When might spur be a better fit than motive?

In some situations, the words spur and motive are roughly equivalent. However, spur applies to a motive that stimulates the faculties or increases energy or ardor.

fear was a spur to action

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 motive
Noun
But the shooting death of UnitedHealth executive Brian Thompson last December, which prosecutors allege was carried out by a gunman who was motived by insurance denials, unleashed a groundswell of public criticism of health insurers’ practices. —Bertha Coombs, CNBC, 28 July 2025 Doug Leone, Sequoia 2011: #11 | 2025: #7 With a knack for understanding people and what motives them, Doug Leone landed a sales job at Sun Microsystems right out of college. —Truebridge Capital, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
Verb
This may reflect skepticism among Republicans and independents about the administration's motives in providing this aid or perhaps a general sense that foreign aid should be provided by the government not the president. —Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025 Officials are working to determine a motive for the shooting and said the investigation is ongoing. —Christina Hall, Freep.com, 22 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for motive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motive
  1. matter
  2. motif
  3. reason
  4. motivate
  5. theme
  6. design
  7. grounds
  8. set off
Noun
  • To compound matters, Nuno is the first West Ham head coach to be winless in his first four league games since Manuel Pellegrini in September 2018.
    — Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Previous studies relied on a process known as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which amplifies small or degraded fragments of DNA, allowing scientists to analyze genetic material even from old or damaged organic matter.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2025
Definition of matter
Noun
  • Worn as a layer over her shoulders, Williams coordinated the coat with her midi dress, which featured the same macramé floral motif in a column silhouette.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Swifties wearing friendship bracelets or Lambs reviving Mariah [Carey]’s ’90s butterfly motifs aren’t waiting for approval from [magazines] anymore…they’re creating the trends in real time.
    — Andre Claudio, Sourcing Journal, 23 Oct. 2025
Definition of motif
Noun
  • The Today with Jenna & Friends co-host credited her sister as the reason for many of her successes, including her role as a television host.
    — Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
  • The Raptors’ 34-11 advantage in fast-break points was the biggest reason for that.
    — Eric Koreen, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Definition of reason
Verb
  • Later that century the rising importance of waterborne commerce for Europe’s maritime powers helped motivate efforts to map Earth’s magnetic field.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Mosquera had gotten to know the couple, who were in a civil partnership, over a number of years and had been staying with them for about a month prior to the murders, which prosecutors said were motivated by finances.
    — Nicole Acosta, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
Definition of motivate
Noun
  • Hard Rock International Hard Rock International is owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida and includes a global chain of theme-bar restaurants, casinos, hotels and museums.
    — Melanie Hicken, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Why is amnesia such a favorite theme?
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Oct. 2025
Definition of theme
Noun
  • Prison guards have struggled to stay safe in the facility due to its outdated design.
    — Laura Schulte, jsonline.com, 27 Oct. 2025
  • The front wheel drive (FWD) layout is a key design feature, contributing to the vehicle’s overall efficiency, size and usability.
    — Tony Leopardo, Mercury News, 26 Oct. 2025
Definition of design
Noun
  • The phenomenon, known as granular jamming, has long fascinated physicists who study how materials like sand and coffee grounds can switch from flowing freely to becoming rigid under pressure.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 27 Oct. 2025
  • The picturesque grounds tend to steal the show here, though.
    — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 27 Oct. 2025
Definition of grounds
Verb
  • But instead Lane, then 34, ambushed her — setting off a violent scramble through the residence that left Wilkins unconscious, her fetus cut from her womb.
    — Jillian Frankel, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
  • New Delhi — Around 20 million people in India’s capital woke up on Wednesday breathing the most polluted air of any major city in the world, a day after celebrations for the Diwali festival, during which revelers typically set off fireworks and firecrackers.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
Definition of set off

Browse Nearby Words

motivative
motive
motived
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Motive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motive. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on motive

Nglish: Translation of motive for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Plural and Possessive Names: A Guide

Using Bullet Points ( • )

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

8 Real (and Perceived) Redundant Words

17 Words for Dog Breeds

Ten More Words from Taylor Swift Songs

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

8 Real (and Perceived) Redundant Words

17 Words for Dog Breeds
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All