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
Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2025
The country has faced years of bloodshed from Boko Haram militants and armed bandits, whose motives are often linked more to territorial control and ransom than to religion.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
More than two decades later, her motives remain unclear.
—Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 30 Oct. 2025
While the preemption ended up being short-lived, speculation about the motives dominated much of the conversation around the call.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025
Sally yearns for freedom from her creator, aligning her with the motives of Cancer, who searches for independence from their family on occasion.
—Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
Be prepared for a bit of alarm from him as to your motives, but push for honest dialogue about their status.
—Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 27 Oct. 2025
The first step for managers is to understand the types of activist, their motives, and tactics.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025
Othmann’s latest opportunity may come with additional motives.
—Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Noun
But the secrecy around the case has fueled speculation about the motives behind his arrest.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2025
The country has faced years of bloodshed from Boko Haram militants and armed bandits, whose motives are often linked more to territorial control and ransom than to religion.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
More than two decades later, her motives remain unclear.
—Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 30 Oct. 2025
While the preemption ended up being short-lived, speculation about the motives dominated much of the conversation around the call.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025
Sally yearns for freedom from her creator, aligning her with the motives of Cancer, who searches for independence from their family on occasion.
—Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
Be prepared for a bit of alarm from him as to your motives, but push for honest dialogue about their status.
—Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 27 Oct. 2025
The first step for managers is to understand the types of activist, their motives, and tactics.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025
Othmann’s latest opportunity may come with additional motives.
—Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motives
Noun
-
The matters being sorted out in the lab and in the field are not just technical and medical.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Navigating intense money matters?—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Despite the epic length, Kinds of Kindness ultimately comes across as a lark, riffing on pet motifs with the help of a game ensemble on triple duty.—
A.A. Dowd,
Vulture,
24 Oct. 2025
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Throughout that time, Frédéric Boucheron was fascinated by the natural world — a passion Poulit‑Duquesne and Choisne continue today, visible in collections featuring feather motifs, fluid forms and other designs.—
Ryma Chikhoune,
Footwear News,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Human rights organizations have renewed their criticism, airing concerns about the persecution of dissent in a country where more than 800 people are behind bars for political reasons, according to the legal rights organization Foro Penal.—
Stefano Pozzebon,
CNN Money,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Lea is an Elko protégé and could appeal to PSU for many of the same reasons.—
Nelson Espinal,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
One unexpected benefit, several parents said, is the bike bus motivates children to get up and out the door more quickly on Friday mornings.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Well, nobody motivates core Democratic voters like this president.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
And next year, the party gets even bigger with new themes every season of the event.—
Megan duBois,
USA Today,
25 Oct. 2025
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Early in the year, the department-run Foreign Service Institute eliminated over 1,200 courses with DEI and other diversity themes.—
Paul du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The victories are seen by many analysts and political figures as a signal that Democrats have regained momentum after losses in the 2024 election cycle—while some Republican voices warn of growing disconnection from core voters.—
Deputy News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Turnout figures for the Sacramento region show the Yes on 50 campaign benefitted from low voter turnout compared to other recent elections.—
Daniel Lempres,
Sacbee.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Support journalism that digs deeper into topics that matter most to Arkansans.—
Cristina LaRue,
Arkansas Online,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Lasky also integrates tangential but no-less-compelling topics, like the show-stopping style of Iris Apfel and her influence on Lasky’s mother, and Lasky’s evergreen obsession with The Shining.—
Diana Arterian,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
In a similar vein, Timnit Gebru, a computer scientist writing during her time working at Google, warned of the dangers of large language models acting as stochastic parrots, which repeat language patterns without understanding, and in doing so replicate the biases embedded in their training data.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Take a page out of our '90s design playbook and mix contrasting patterns, bring in plenty of cozy textiles, and add a stylish floor lamp to brighten dark fall and winter evenings.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Motives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motives. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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