1
as in matters
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
Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Speaking with Deadline in 2024, Domingo suggested that his motives lie elsewhere.
—Séraphine Roger, Vanity Fair, 29 Mar. 2026
While Iran is not known to have any interests in Uganda, it has been accused of covert operations in neighboring Kenya and Tanzania, including the running of smuggling networks and making controversial diplomatic and economic outreach with questionable motives throughout the region.
—Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2026
All of them have their own motives.
—Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026
The scene is all talking, much of it of Lea in closeup, and it’s written and performed with wide-ranging awareness and complex motives and emotions.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026
Unger, who lives in Clearwater, has a reputation for solid stand-alone thrillers that have landed on bestseller lists, with unusual plots and unconventional motives shrouded in dark-but-not-oppressive atmospheres.
—Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026
Some have tried to shift the conversation to unrelated national political grievances or to accuse anyone raising these issues of bad motives.
—Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
In two of those cases, judges have also openly questioned the department's true motives for seeking the records.
—Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026
Noun
The president has repeatedly attacked federal judges and Supreme Court justices who have ruled against his policies, at times singling out individual jurists by name and questioning their motives or legitimacy.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Speaking with Deadline in 2024, Domingo suggested that his motives lie elsewhere.
—Séraphine Roger, Vanity Fair, 29 Mar. 2026
While Iran is not known to have any interests in Uganda, it has been accused of covert operations in neighboring Kenya and Tanzania, including the running of smuggling networks and making controversial diplomatic and economic outreach with questionable motives throughout the region.
—Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2026
All of them have their own motives.
—Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026
The scene is all talking, much of it of Lea in closeup, and it’s written and performed with wide-ranging awareness and complex motives and emotions.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026
Unger, who lives in Clearwater, has a reputation for solid stand-alone thrillers that have landed on bestseller lists, with unusual plots and unconventional motives shrouded in dark-but-not-oppressive atmospheres.
—Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026
Some have tried to shift the conversation to unrelated national political grievances or to accuse anyone raising these issues of bad motives.
—Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
In two of those cases, judges have also openly questioned the department's true motives for seeking the records.
—Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motives
Noun
-
The terms of Chan’s contract are complete, city spokesperson Jennifer Singer wrote in a statement, while noting the city does not comment on personnel matters related to former employees.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The first would allow courts in protection from abuse matters and criminal proceedings to order abusers to wear a GPS monitoring device that enables survivors to track their location in real time, even with alerts to law enforcement.—
Lauren Linder,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
These motifs evolve into deeper explorations of aggression and subcultural aesthetics, dedicating space to his film Trash Humpers and the Shadow Fux paintings.—
Robert Lang,
Deadline,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The Singapore Botanical Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the world's great urban green spaces, inspired everything from the color palette (soft greens, aqua blues, natural wood tones) to the botanical motifs that appear in textiles and art throughout the property.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But those shootarounds can be canceled for any number of reasons, including if the game is the second in consecutive nights, or if the team is in the middle of a tough stretch of travel or practiced the day before.—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The spa There’s a solid spa here that’s always cooking up new reasons to visit.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Shaun’s content still motivates, but it is now complemented by morning cuddle photos.—
Sierra Leone Starks,
Parents,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Not sure if Hafley meant more than an introduction, maybe an in-depth conversation, digging into topics like what motivates a player.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In addition to the themes Common Sense Media highlights, the Trigger Warning Database's list also includes potentially triggering events or themes, like drugging, avalanches, poverty and more.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The stylistic decision aligns the song’s themes with Taylor’s legacy, drawing parallels between old Hollywood glamour and modern celebrity culture.—
Claire Dodds,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But many senior figures within the sport point to claims of positive fan feedback, although so far no official numbers have been released to support these claims from the F1 organization.—
Luke Smith,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Executives at United and American Airlines reported similar figures.—
Rio Yamat,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The articles include a variety of topics centered around City Hall, including the Kansas City Fire Department, housing, development and public safety.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Each candidate was given equal time to respond to questions related to more than a dozen different topics.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Bands of darker skin often followed similar patterns from patient to patient—a series of V’s along the upper spine, S’s along the abdomen, and an inverted U across each breast.—
Jerome Groopman,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Federal investigations into these patterns reinforce that the technology is still evolving and not yet proven safe.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Motives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motives. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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