plural motives
: a reason for doing something
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.
hidden/ulterior motives
making decisions based on the profit motive [=the desire to make a profit]
—often + forNo one knows the main/real/underlying motive for his behavior.
always used before a noun
technical
: of, relating to, or causing motion
motive power
Cite this Entry
“Motive.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/motive. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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