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
What led up to the gunfire and any motive for the shooting remained unclear. —Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 25 May 2025 What was the shooter's motive in the Jewish museum shooting? —Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 24 May 2025
Verb
Police are interviewing Thompson's family and friends in Minnesota to see if anyone might have motive to kill him. —Ben Brachfeld, People.com, 4 Dec. 2024 White working-class New Yorkers increasingly felt not only alienated but also motived to express their dissatisfaction. —Longreads, 3 Oct. 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
  • Others, meanwhile, said family matters should be left for behind closed doors and not for public shaming.
    — Stephanie Guerilus, People.com, 1 June 2025
  • They were raised during the internet boom, financial decentralization, and the notion that digital identity and ownership matter.
    — Chrissa McFarlane, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
Definition of matter
Noun
  • Johnson makes paintings and mosaics on square white tiles—often incorporating the material of one of Johnson’s favorite motifs, shea butter, the hearty soul food of moisturizing agents.
    — Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 30 May 2025
  • Breton stripes, fisherman sandals, shell motifs—anything that could remind you of the ocean is very much in play, and plenty of it is currently on sale at Nordstrom.
    — Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 30 May 2025
Definition of motif
Noun
  • The Television Academy has stubbornly hung on to the old notion that half-hour shows are comedies while hourlong shows are dramas if for no other reason than there doesn’t seem to be a better determining factor.
    — Joe Reid, Vulture, 7 June 2025
  • Martino abruptly resigned due to personal reasons and Miami hired Messi’s long-time friend and former Barcelona and Argentina team-mate Javier Mascherano as head coach.
    — Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 7 June 2025
Definition of reason
Verb
  • Police didn’t comment on what may have motivated the killings, or what led them to Collins and his teenage accomplice, but said the investigation is ongoing.
    — Mitchell Willetts, Kansas City Star, 27 May 2025
  • Film incentives are essentially tax credits that motivate film and television productions to work in certain states.
    — Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 May 2025
Definition of motivate
Noun
  • Amazon Even though it is recognized more as science fiction than horror, there are plenty of terrifying moments and themes that the team at Universal Studios can pull from.
    — Jeremy Hanna, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
  • The decision to film in Tasmania’s Eagle Hawk Neck region proved transformative for the production’s tone and themes.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 5 June 2025
Definition of theme
Noun
  • Its design was based on the Japanese Nori shoe, which was made from straw.
    — Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
  • The experience of working with elite football clubs exposed Bord to inefficiencies, and the absence of sophisticated algorithms that his company designs.
    — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 31 May 2025
Definition of design
Verb
  • Soon after 10:45 am local time, Sunny set off to the sky for the first time, kicking off a new era of her life, the organization confirmed on Facebook.
    — Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 3 June 2025
  • For example, nitrogen particles set off the magenta or purple-red waves as seen in this photo.
    — Robert Z. Pearlman, Space.com, 2 June 2025
Definition of set off
Noun
  • Angela is also opening up about sensitive topics — like being millions of dollars in debt over these houses??
    — Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 2 June 2025
  • There are many ways to celebrate spring, but few contemporary artists have devoted more attention to the topic than David Hockney.
    — Françoise Mouly, New Yorker, 2 June 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 11 Jun. 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'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

'Bring' vs. 'Take'

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

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

10 Hella Good U.S. Regionalisms

Some Data About 'Datum'

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

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language
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?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All