1
: something (such as a need or desire) that causes a person to act
a hidden/ulterior motive
Revenge was the murderer's motive.
—often used with forNo one knows the real/underlying motive for his behavior
2
: a recurrent phrase or figure that is developed through the course of a musical composition
3
: motif
the composition's recurring flute motive
1
: of or relating to motion or the causing of motion
motive energy
2
: moving or tending to move to action
Examples of motive in a Sentence
Noun
Their motive in running away was to avoid being punished.
I think he's guilty of the crime. He had the motive, the means, and the opportunity.
She denied that her offer to help was based on selfish motives.
Recent Examples on the Web
Sierra Van Der Brug, Daily News, 28 May 2026
The motive for the attack is unclear.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten , Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2026
The ruling ensures that prosecutors will again have to present their evidence—including digital data, financial‑crime motive testimony, and Murdaugh’s own shifting statements—before a new jury.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2026
Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 23 May 2026
Prosecutors have said Mangione's notebook entries speak to motive.
—Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for motive
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Noun
Other circumstances, including a motive for the killings, were unclear.
—Sierra Van Der Brug, Daily News, 28 May 2026
The motive for the attack is unclear.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026
Adjective
Waters defended the original strategy, saying that both Judge Clifton Newman and the Supreme Court accepted the logic of the state’s motive theory.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten , Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2026
The ruling ensures that prosecutors will again have to present their evidence—including digital data, financial‑crime motive testimony, and Murdaugh’s own shifting statements—before a new jury.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2026
Verb
There was no information on a possible suspect or motive in the incident.
—Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 23 May 2026
Prosecutors have said Mangione's notebook entries speak to motive.
—Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for motive
Cite this Entry
“Motive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/motive. Accessed 31 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Medical Definition
motive
noun
mo·tive
ˈmōt-iv 
: something (as a need or desire) that causes a person to act
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