motive 1 of 2

motive

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verb

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
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
Verb
This man also had a personal motive, according to Dillard's petition: Thomas was having an affair with his wife. Kristine Phillips, IndyStar, 2 July 2025 The motive behind Roley’s actions remains unclear, and Norris said Monday that no manifesto has been found. Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for motive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motive
Noun
  • Every one of the strikeouts Padres relief pitcher Jason Adam hurls matters.
    Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2025
  • But before that could happen, some practical matters needed to be resolved.
    Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 7 July 2025
Noun
  • The train also offers a dedicated Wellness Suite, decorated by painter and printmaker Sarah Woods with a calming beach motif.
    Everett Potter, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
  • Price upon publish date of this article: $11.99 Flaunting over 3,000 hearts on Urban Outfitters’ site, this shower curtain is a hot commodity because of its ability to harness multiple interior design trends at once: including food motifs, gingham patterns, and all things pink.
    Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 2 July 2025
Noun
  • His present is extremely bright, and there’s no reason to expect near term slippage.
    Tony Blengino, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Hval did not share a specific reason for the cancellation.
    Walden Green, Pitchfork, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • Managers should foster a safe environment where employees feel valued and motivated to learn.
    Michael Hudson, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • Keke Palmer is addressing what motivated her and her team to pull the podcast interview with Jonathan Majors following public outcry.
    Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • Newcastle has rightly earned great credit for its success rate, but the common theme is all of those players have arrived with risk, liked by bigger clubs but crucially not enough to be poached by one of them.
    Harry De Cosemo, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
  • While the general theme of European clubs hoovering up much of the bounty is true, there is a caveat to the order of things.
    Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 28 June 2025
Noun
  • This set of over-ear cans from Puro Sound Labs has a conservative design in black and is big enough for some adults.
    Simon Hill Adrienne So, Wired News, 6 July 2025
  • Musetti wore a white, leather Bottega Veneta jacket with a woven leather design.
    Merlisa Lawrence Corbett, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025
Verb
  • That month was when scientists reported that the earth’s temperature had suddenly begun not just to climb but to spike—the days around the solstice were the hottest ever measured, setting off a run of record-smashing heat that continues to this day.
    Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 9 July 2025
  • With personal tutor Bjorn (Michael Cera) in tow, the trio set off on a globetrotting adventure to achieve Korda's epic mission.
    Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
Noun
  • This is especially important when tackling sensitive topics, such as mental health or chronic illness.
    Kamya Elawadhi, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
  • Brandon Loomis is the senior environment reporter and writes some of our in-depth stories on a wide range of topics.
    Shaun McKinnon, AZCentral.com, 8 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Motive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motive. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.

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