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Definition of motive
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
motivelessly
adverbRead the Latest from M-W
Examples of motive in a Sentence
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 of motive from the Web
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To this day, Cunanan's true motive for the slayings remain unknown to the Miami Beach police and Federal Bureau of Investigation.
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Local magistrate Laure Chabaud was quoted by La Provence and Le Dauphine Libere as saying that the mosque did not appear to be the target and that police have ruled out a terrorist motive.
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Suffredin said part of the motive for the Cook County ordinance was to force the governor's hand.
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The government's professed motive is to make the academy's work more efficient.
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And this appears to have been an ulterior motive in Kalanick’s quick departure from Uber, which occurred only a week into his three-month leave.
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Authorities will not say if the Wagners are suspects in the most complex investigation in Ohio history, which is dragging into its 15th month without an arrest or stated motive.
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Oak Lawn police did not provide any details regarding how Alonso is alleged to have committed the alleged killings or any motive for doing so.
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Chaplin said police have not determined a motive and were interviewing families of victims and witnesses to piece together what led the gunman to act.
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.
Origin and Etymology of motive
Middle English, from Anglo-French motif, motive, from motif, adjective, moving, from Medieval Latin motivus, from Latin motus, past participle of movēre to move
Synonym Discussion of motive
Other Psychology Terms
Definition of motive
1 : of or relating to motion or the causing of motion motive energy
2 : moving or tending to move to action
Recent Examples of motive from the Web
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Dale’s absence and the threat of visitors in my home gave me motive and opportunity to clean.
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.
Origin and Etymology of motive
Middle French or Medieval Latin; Middle French motif, from Medieval Latin motivus
First Known Use of motive
1657
MOTIVE Defined for English Language Learners
motive
playDefinition of motive for English Language Learners
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: of, relating to, or causing motion
MOTIVE Defined for Kids
Definition of motive for Students
: a reason for doing something
Medical Dictionary
motive
playMedical Definition of motive
: something (as a need or desire) that causes a person to act
Law Dictionary
motive
Legal Definition of motive
: something (as a need or desire) that causes a person to act
Additional Notes on motive
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.
Origin and Etymology of motive
Anglo-French motif, from Middle French motif adjective, moving, from Medieval Latin motivus, from Latin motus, past participle of movēre to move
Learn More about motive
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See words that rhyme with motive Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for motive Spanish Central: Translation of motive Nglish: Translation of motive for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of motive for Arabic speakers
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