1
as in matters
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 motifs
a unit of decoration that is repeated all over something (as a fabric)
decorated with a paisley motive
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in reasons
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of motives
Emil Steiner, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
His testimony comes as John Carroll, Banfield's attorney, spent much of the trial scrutinizing Magalhães' motives in the case.
—CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
Many have assigned motives and labels to me that just aren't true.
—Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Jan. 2026
Both papers hurried to make the most of this dramatic event, no matter how little reporters actually knew about the identity of the gunman or his motives for shooting four people.
—Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
The motives of Hunt’s main character are abstract, to say the least.
—Colin Joyce, Pitchfork, 28 Jan. 2026
The case begins with murky motives.
—Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2026
Continue reading … ‘GROSS’ – Slate writer under fire for questioning motives behind second lady's pregnancy.
—FOXNews.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Kang, who owns London City Lioness in England and OL Lyonnes in France, is among the owners whose motives have been questioned.
—Emily Olsen, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2026
Noun
Every study is limited by its design, and a largescale quantitative analysis cannot reveal the motives of individual referees.
—Emil Steiner, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
His testimony comes as John Carroll, Banfield's attorney, spent much of the trial scrutinizing Magalhães' motives in the case.
—CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
Many have assigned motives and labels to me that just aren't true.
—Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Jan. 2026
Both papers hurried to make the most of this dramatic event, no matter how little reporters actually knew about the identity of the gunman or his motives for shooting four people.
—Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
The motives of Hunt’s main character are abstract, to say the least.
—Colin Joyce, Pitchfork, 28 Jan. 2026
The case begins with murky motives.
—Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2026
Continue reading … ‘GROSS’ – Slate writer under fire for questioning motives behind second lady's pregnancy.
—FOXNews.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Kang, who owns London City Lioness in England and OL Lyonnes in France, is among the owners whose motives have been questioned.
—Emily Olsen, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motives
Noun
-
For hours, in the suffocating heat, Dooley sifted through endless accounts of mundane colonial matters—church records, itemizations, legal disputes, petty complaints.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
-
That’s left researchers and startups to take matters into their own hands.—
Ana Castelain,
Bloomberg,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The 6,000-square-foot estate draws heavily on Moroccan design motifs, with the celebrated interior designer Brittny Button bringing in touches like a 13th-century fireplace in the living room and Moroccan fountains along the exterior.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Gherardo Felloni delved into Roger Vivier’s archives with his Pièce Unique collection of one-off pieces for spring, bringing to life animal motifs explored by the house’s founder in colorful contemporary creations showcasing a plethora of precious craft techniques.—
Alex Wynne,
Footwear News,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
For these reasons, snow mushrooms are a good choice for dry skin but can also be appropriate for all skin types.—
Celia Shatzman,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart said the forklift program stands out for many reasons.—
Jermont Terry,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Her positive attitude is truly contagious, often serving as the catalyst that motivates her peers to engage more deeply with school initiatives.—
Darla Rivera,
Oklahoman,
19 Jan. 2026
-
This is part of what motivates him to keep buying back the block.—
Raisa Habersham,
Miami Herald,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Park Chan-wook’s Oldboy (2003), for instance, worked within the revenge thriller genre but infused it with uniquely Korean themes about shame and family honor.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Across rooms and conversations, three themes stood out clearly.—
Vaishali Nigam Sinha,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
That set her apart from other South Korean first ladies – who traditionally were viewed as humble, behind-the-scenes figures.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
28 Jan. 2026
-
These students do not count toward the college's enrollment figures.—
Edward McKinnon,
Arkansas Online,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Support journalism that digs deeper into topics that matter most to Arkansans.—
John Brummett,
Arkansas Online,
27 Jan. 2026
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Consider Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History podcast, which began in 2006, developing its current long-form, immersive format that explores major historical topics with a punk sensibility.—
Frank Racioppi,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Kelsea Ballerini channeled Old Hollywood glamour in a form-fitting halter gown drenched in intricate metallic beadwork in shades of gold, bronze, and olive, arranged in swirling, paisley-like patterns with fringe detailing cascading from the skirt and train.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
2 Feb. 2026
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Instead of waiting for their behavior to reach crisis mode, parents learn to notice patterns early, stay calm, and guide them through the turbulence of growing up.—
Dorian Johnson,
Parents,
1 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Motives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motives. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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