motive

mo·tive | \ ˈmō-tiv

How to pronounce motive (audio)

, sense 2 is also mō-ˈtēv

How to pronounce motive (audio)

\

Definition of motive

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : something (such as a need or desire) that causes a person to act Revenge was the murderer's motive.

2 : a recurrent phrase or figure that is developed through the course of a musical composition

3 : motif the composition's recurring flute motive

motive

mo·tive | \ ˈmō-tiv

How to pronounce motive (audio)

\

Definition of motive (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : of or relating to motion or the causing of motion motive energy

2 : moving or tending to move to action

motive

mo·tive | \ ˈmō-tiv

How to pronounce motive (audio)

\

motived; motiving

Definition of motive (Entry 3 of 3)

transitive verb

Other Words from motive Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about motive

Keep scrolling for more

Choose the Right Synonym for motive

Noun

motive, impulse, incentive, inducement, spur, goad 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 impulse suggests a driving power arising from personal temperament or constitution. buying on impulse incentive applies to an external influence (such as an expected reward) inciting to action. a bonus was offered as an incentive inducement suggests a motive prompted by the deliberate enticements or allurements of another. offered a watch as an inducement to subscribe spur applies to a motive that stimulates the faculties or increases energy or ardor. fear was a spur to action goad suggests a motive that keeps one going against one's will or desire. thought insecurity a goad to worker efficiency

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: Noun Post-shooting buzzwords In many instances, such as the Las Vegas, Thousand Oaks, Virginia Beach and Dayton massacres, the perpetrator is not caught alive, depriving investigators of the prime source of information for the motive. — Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY, "The mystery of mass shooting motives: What if we never learn why?," 8 Aug. 2019 Authorities are continue to search for a possible motive in the shooting. — CBS News, "Dramatic video shows man shielding girlfriend from Dayton shooter: "I was certain that I was going to be next"," 8 Aug. 2019 Authorities pointed to Aghdam’s displeasure with YouTube’s business practices as a motive. — Jason Green, The Mercury News, "YouTube boots North Bay teen for hate speech violations," 6 Aug. 2019 Studies have repeatedly shown immigrants have a lower level of criminality than those born in the U.S., both shooting suspects were citizens, and federal officials are investigating anti-immigrant bias as a potential motive in the Texas massacre. — Anchorage Daily News, "As death count rises in 2 US shootings, a familiar aftermath," 6 Aug. 2019 Both shooting suspects were U.S. citizens, and federal officials are investigating anti-immigrant bias as a potential motive for the El Paso, Texas, massacre. .... — Jonathan Lemire, BostonGlobe.com, "Trump condemns ‘bigotry,’ stops short of major gun reform," 5 Aug. 2019 Studies have repeatedly shown immigrants have a lower level of criminality than those born in the U.S., both shooting suspects were citizens, and federal officials are investigating anti-immigrant bias as a potential motive in the Texas massacre. — Astrid Galvan, Twin Cities, "As death count rises in 2 US shootings, a familiar aftermath," 5 Aug. 2019 Both shooting suspects were U.S. citizens, and federal officials are investigating anti-immigrant bias as a potential motive for the El Paso, Texas, massacre. — chicagotribune.com, "Trump says ‘our nation must condemn racism, bigotry and white supremacy’ after weekend mass shootings," 5 Aug. 2019 Police are still searching for a motive in the attack. — Tatiana Sanchez, SFChronicle.com, "Gilroy strong: Hundreds of residents stand tall at vigil in wake of mass shooting," 1 Aug. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Two days after the shooting Micah Johnson found motive to ambush police office in Dallas during a peaceful protest. — Mark Berman, Washington Post, "Baton Rouge police release video showing fatal shooting of Alton Sterling, plan to fire one officer," 30 Mar. 2018 Detectives have not motive or suspects in the killings. — Michelle Hunter, NOLA.com, "Family to hold vigil Wednesday for Marrero double murder victim," 25 Oct. 2017 They were not identified, and no suspect or motive information was released. — baltimoresun.com, "2 teens shot in Northeast Baltimore," 29 Aug. 2017 On the Transit, defective flexible coupling could cause separation of the drive shaft, cutting off motive power, causing the vehicle to move while parked or damaging surrounding parts. — Nathan Bomey, USA TODAY, "Ford Transit recalled: Drive shaft defect costs $142 million," 28 June 2017 Dale’s absence and the threat of visitors in my home gave me motive and opportunity to clean. — Gayle Carline, Orange County Register, "What a Day: It’s never too early for spring cleaning," 20 Jan. 2017 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Police did not immediately offer information as to motive or suspect description. — Keri Blakinger, Houston Chronicle, "Man beaten, stabbed after argument in Alief," 21 Jan. 2018 Of course, with all reports like this, speculation as to motive for such stories must be questioned. — Mark Heim, AL.com, "Penn State preparing for Texas A&M to make run at James Franklin, per report," 12 Oct. 2017 My photography is first and foremost a catalyst or reason to motive human action. — Olivier Laurent, Time, "Why We Do It: Photographers and Photo Editors on the Passion That Drives Their Work," 30 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'motive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about motive

Dictionary Entries near motive

Statistics for motive

Last Updated

26 Oct 2019

Time Traveler for motive

The first known use of motive was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for motive

motive

noun

English Language Learners Definition of motive

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a reason for doing something

motive

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of motive (Entry 2 of 2)

technical : of, relating to, or causing motion

See the full definition for motive in the English Language Learners Dictionary

motive

mo·tive | \ ˈmō-tiv

\

Kids Definition of motive

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a reason for doing something

motive

Kids Definition of motive (Entry 2 of 2)

: causing motion motive power

motive

mo·tive | \ ˈmōt-iv

\

Medical Definition of motive

: something (as a need or desire) that causes a person to act

Keep scrolling for more

motive

mo·tive

Legal Definition of motive

: something (as a need or desire) that causes a person to act

Note: Motive is distinguished from intent or mens rea. Although motive is not an element of a crime, evidence of motive can be introduced to help establish intent.

Keep scrolling for more

WORD OF THE DAY

recondite

concealed or difficult to comprehend

Test Your Vocabulary

Pass the Little Ribbons: A Pasta Word Quiz

Match the pasta to its meaning in English: Rotelle

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.