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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
The prosecutors will weigh all the different evidence, determine what the motive is. —ABC News, 20 Apr. 2025 Prosecutor Balian addressed the question of motive. —Air Mail, 19 Apr. 2025
Verb
White working-class New Yorkers increasingly felt not only alienated but also motived to express their dissatisfaction. —Longreads, 3 Oct. 2024 The very last people who aren’t really motived to change any of this are the publishers themselves. —Paul Sutter, Ars Technica, 12 July 2024 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. set off
  8. topic
Noun
  • Why does financial literacy matter to Central Florida?
    — Jay Reddick, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Your homeowners’ association cannot just deny your requests and expect that to be the end of the matter.
    — Jill Terreri Ramos, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
Definition of matter
Noun
  • Another motif of this season is how many of these directors’ later films are not readily available.
    — J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 24 Apr. 2025
  • That space wraps around to a fireside den with a desk and a window seat, plus a dining area that has a buffet topped with custom leaded-glass panels sporting a butterfly and hummingbird motif.
    — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 22 Apr. 2025
Definition of motif
Noun
  • The reason for the independence, the Brookings Institution explains, is that politicians tend to want lower interest rates because lower rates stimulate the economy.
    — Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 21 Apr. 2025
  • The reason for the increase in the Tigers’ team score came after a review of Mizzou’s third rotation — balance beam.
    — Henry Chappell, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2025
Definition of reason
Verb
  • Guerrero suggested that Sheinbaum was motivated in part by scrutiny from the United States.
    — Stephania Taladrid, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Police haven’t said what may have motivated the killing.
    — Mitchell Willetts, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2025
Definition of motivate
Noun
  • In that mighty visage, Stephens and Hernandez tease out a theme of grand scope and urgency.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2025
  • While the survey found overspending due to guilt is a common theme among parents, researchers also noted this stems from a good place.
    — Melissa Willets, Parents, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of theme
Noun
  • To accompany the re-release, a new international poster has been unveiled, presenting a fresh design that aim to honour the timeless image of the Tramp.
    — Alex Ritman, Variety, 25 Apr. 2025
  • The seven-time Olympic gold medalist wore a look courtesy of Oscar de la Renta, which featured a structural design of gold with floral inspiration.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 25 Apr. 2025
Definition of design
Verb
  • His death now sets off the tradition of finding a new Vatican leader through the tradition known as a conclave.
    — The Hill Staff, The Hill, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Before the events of the film, twins Smoke and Stack (Michael B. Jordan) fought in the trenches of World War I before setting off to Chicago and became prohibition gangsters working for Al Capone.
    — Richard Newby, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2025
Definition of set off
Noun
  • Promotion had been the hot topic of conversation for days in North Wales.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Max's second season of Nathan Fielder's The Rehearsal, which premiered this past Sunday, is also centered around the topic.
    — Randall Colburn, EW.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Definition of topic

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 2 May. 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

Words You Always Have to Look Up

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

Triumph, Ovation, and Other Words from Ancient Rome

Rhetorical Devices Used in Pop Songs
See More

Popular

See More

Words You Always Have to Look Up

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
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 Word Game 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?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
chain-with-string
Fastest Quiz Ever: Missing Link Five seconds to figure out the word that fits bot...
See All