1
as in themes
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 motifs
a unit of decoration that is repeated all over something (as a fabric)
decorated with a paisley motive
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in reasons
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of motives
Jason Ma, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025
Othmann’s latest opportunity may come with additional motives.
—Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
New Paramount leadership’s motives to license Hollywood Arts to Netflix instead of keeping it in-house on Nickelodeon and Paramount+ — or taking the first run and offering Netflix second window — are not entirely clear but the strategy shift will bring in sizable revenue.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2025
King’s defense attorneys Matt Smid and Mark Daniel say that Good’s motives are political.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Oct. 2025
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
The only way to get to the bottom of their motives is not to let their enchanting words blind you.
—Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
Other popular motives include pursuing adventure and personal growth, seeking a better lifestyle, and a place to retire.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 20 Oct. 2025
They both were later painted by the Free Britney movement as having bad motives.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
The first step for managers is to understand the types of activist, their motives, and tactics.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025
Othmann’s latest opportunity may come with additional motives.
—Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
New Paramount leadership’s motives to license Hollywood Arts to Netflix instead of keeping it in-house on Nickelodeon and Paramount+ — or taking the first run and offering Netflix second window — are not entirely clear but the strategy shift will bring in sizable revenue.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2025
King’s defense attorneys Matt Smid and Mark Daniel say that Good’s motives are political.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Oct. 2025
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
The only way to get to the bottom of their motives is not to let their enchanting words blind you.
—Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
Other popular motives include pursuing adventure and personal growth, seeking a better lifestyle, and a place to retire.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 20 Oct. 2025
They both were later painted by the Free Britney movement as having bad motives.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motives
Noun
-
And next year, the party gets even bigger with new themes every season of the event.—
Megan duBois,
USA Today,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Early in the year, the department-run Foreign Service Institute eliminated over 1,200 courses with DEI and other diversity themes.—
Paul du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Despite the epic length, Kinds of Kindness ultimately comes across as a lark, riffing on pet motifs with the help of a game ensemble on triple duty.—
A.A. Dowd,
Vulture,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Throughout that time, Frédéric Boucheron was fascinated by the natural world — a passion Poulit‑Duquesne and Choisne continue today, visible in collections featuring feather motifs, fluid forms and other designs.—
Ryma Chikhoune,
Footwear News,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Due process requires a commitment to the reasons punishment is sought and thus allows those reasons to be addressed and countered.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Advertisers still crave the broad, simultaneous viewership such extravaganzas generate, and marketers that in the past might not have spent heavily on sports now see new reasons to do so.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
He was asked what motivates him.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Ask what motivates you to network in the first place.—
Sarah Maokosy,
Fortune,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Because the integrity of league competitions, built around the simple principle of teams playing each other at home and away, matters.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Dale Ellis covers the federal courthouse beat for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, reporting on criminal and civil matters that impact Arkansans.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Viewership for the postseason thus far has reached levels unseen since 2017, according to figures released by MLB on Wednesday.—
The Athletic MLB Staff,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
-
The site has housed many historical figures over the years, from Queen Margaret to Mary, Queen of Scots.—
Sophie Friedman,
AFAR Media,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Support journalism that digs deeper into topics that matter most to Arkansans.—
Bill Bowden,
Arkansas Online,
24 Oct. 2025
-
The chat was part of a day-long event, Hollywood & Mind, which focused on an array of topics at the intersection of music, the music industry and mental health.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Sometimes, a slice of the weather patterns aloft can act to focus heavy rainfall over a region, Roth said.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
28 Oct. 2025
-
The store houses a Scarf Bar offering designs in cashmere and silk twill in a variety of colors, patterns, textures and more than 30 shades of Burberry check.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Motives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motives. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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