1
as in themes
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
Amanda Castro
hannah Parry
shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
In the laconic tones of a police report, Ibargüengoitia investigates the murders and their motives, the society and the profession - the oldest of all, but no less mysterious for that - which precipitated them.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
The motives of the suspect remain unclear.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 12 Sep. 2025
Such statements came even as the authorities continue to search for the shooter and there is no information about the assassin or the motives behind the attack.
—Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 11 Sep. 2025
That move alarmed Israeli officials who question the motives of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former al-Qaeda commander.
—Gram Slattery, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Though his motives are often as murky as the foul air in his office, Lamb seems to be keeping the nation safe by burying his team in pointless paperwork and isolating them from actual spywork – except when things have gotten so bleak that the Slow Horses can’t possibly make things worse.
—Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 10 Sep. 2025
Coming up with an answer forces us to speculate about alien motives.
—Matthew Hutson, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2025
Ideological skirmishes over the motives and obligations of Carpenter’s music include both sincere interrogation of its feminism and smirking counteractive reprisals to that scrutiny.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
Bullet casings recovered at the scene were etched with anti-fascist messages, suggesting ideological motives.
—Amanda Castro
hannah Parry
shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
In the laconic tones of a police report, Ibargüengoitia investigates the murders and their motives, the society and the profession - the oldest of all, but no less mysterious for that - which precipitated them.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
The motives of the suspect remain unclear.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 12 Sep. 2025
Such statements came even as the authorities continue to search for the shooter and there is no information about the assassin or the motives behind the attack.
—Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 11 Sep. 2025
That move alarmed Israeli officials who question the motives of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former al-Qaeda commander.
—Gram Slattery, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Though his motives are often as murky as the foul air in his office, Lamb seems to be keeping the nation safe by burying his team in pointless paperwork and isolating them from actual spywork – except when things have gotten so bleak that the Slow Horses can’t possibly make things worse.
—Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 10 Sep. 2025
Coming up with an answer forces us to speculate about alien motives.
—Matthew Hutson, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2025
Ideological skirmishes over the motives and obligations of Carpenter’s music include both sincere interrogation of its feminism and smirking counteractive reprisals to that scrutiny.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motives
Noun
-
Specialized walking tours go beyond the main landmarks, focusing on themes that bring the city’s culture into sharper focus.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Did themes of aging and mortality seep into your own thinking?—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The oil, oil stick, pigments, and graphite on canvas marries myriad cultural and self-referential images, symbols, and motifs, mostly notably Móyòsóré Martins’ signature Watchman figure.—
Natasha Gural,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
From menswear motifs like herringbone and plaid to double-breasted shapes inspired by uniform dressing, our favorite jackets include all the essentials—plus some with a little more of a fashion-forward edge—to style with your go-to T-shirts and fall boots.—
Kristina Rutkowski,
Glamour,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Trump claimed without evidence that McEntarfer had manipulated statistics for political reasons.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Housing is one of the reasons anyone in tech will tell you that the industry is thriving in California largely in spite of regulations, not because of them.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But winning the Irish Open proved that golf still motivates him to no end.—
Julio Cesar Valdera Morales,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
-
An inclusive workplace motivates teams, improving performance and job satisfaction.—
Anita Nelson,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
If the end goal is beating the ideological adversary, then little matters beyond that.—
Kimberly Ross,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The 63-year-old NBA commissioner who came up under the fire-breathing David Stern, and who has chosen diplomacy over dictatorship since taking over in 2014, doesn’t typically stick his chest out when discussing such matters of governance.—
Sam Amick,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Her comments come as Democrats face a leadership crossroads in Washington, with long-serving figures under scrutiny and younger candidates pushing for change.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Plenty of timepiece brands increased their prices, too, in response to those initial tariff figures back in April, according to Hodinkee.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Support journalism that digs deeper into topics that matter most to Arkansans.—
Tom Murphy,
Arkansas Online,
12 Sep. 2025
-
That impact on a smaller business with less than $50 million in annual revenue could mean immediate business closure, making this one of the most critical topics to discuss in leadership meetings.—
Max Silber,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Tropical weather experts at Colorado State University echo these predictions, saying overall atmospheric conditions, including wind patterns, will shift in a manner that supports a notable increase in activity.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
10 Sep. 2025
-
This year, with supply hewing closely to typical seasonal patterns, expect the usual post-summer wave of new inventory to arrive.—
John Walkup,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Motives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motives. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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