Synonyms of motives

motives 1 of 2

noun

plural of motive

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

• matters
• themes
• topics
• motifs
• questions
• subjects
• contents
• ideas
• essences
• purposes
• issues
• problems
• considerations
• hearts
• substances
• subject matters
• masses
• counts
• fundamentals
• bodies
• cores
• arguments
• bases
• points
• burdens
• mains
• generalities
• affairs
• sums
• staples
• pivots
• essentials
• talking points
• nuclei
• kernels
• debates
• nets
• gists
• piths
• bulks
• essentialities
• purports
• centerpieces
• cruxes
• grists
• bottoms
• keynotes
• marrows
• nubs
• quicks
• nubbins

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• parentheses
• excursions
• tangents
• asides
• digressions
• interjections

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

• motifs
• figures
• patterns
• designs
• ornaments
• decorations
• devices
• schemes
• adornments
• embellishments
• trims
• garnishes
• frills
• caparisons

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

• reasons
• subjects
• grounds
• authorities
• causes
• whys
• considerations
• incentives
• accounts
• wherefores
• antecedents
• stimuli
• impetuses
• inspirations
• occasions
• instigations

motives

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of motive

as in motivates

Related Words

• motivates
• keys (up)
• inspires
• animates
• fans
• sets off
• energizes
• triggers
• drives
• activates
• induces
• vitalizes
• galvanizes
• quickens
• inflames
• ignites
• kindles
• arouses
• ferments
• provokes
• foments
• incites
• pumps up
• stimulates
• whips (up)
• encourages
• excites
• abets
• impassions
• sparks
• stirs
• angers
• piques
• fires (up)
• moves
• instigates
• raises
• upsets
• enrages
• maddens
• taunts
• revs (up)
• teases
• exasperates
• bothers
• irritates
• vexes
• aggravates
• annoys
• jeers
• galls
• gets

Dissimilar Words

• soothes
• calms
• subdues
• appeases
• tranquilizes
• placates
• pacifies
• mollifies

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of motives

Noun

The two candidates vying for Fulton County Commission chair repeatedly questioned each other’s motives Monday during a testy debate ahead of their runoff election. —Shaddi Abusaid, AJC.com, 2 June 2026

Any motives and circumstances surrounding the event are currently unknown. —Kassia Bonesteel, CBS News, 1 June 2026

Returning presents to their donors is an insult, however kind your motives are. —Judith Martin, Mercury News, 1 June 2026

None of this impugns Moskowitz’s or Fry’s motives. —Patrick Eddington, Oc Register, 1 June 2026

Being self-Aware – recognizes how personal behavior impacts others and stays mindful of one’s own motives, values, and reactions. —Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026

Kaplan also repeatedly limited arguments the defense could make regarding Carroll’s credibility and motives, even though the timing of and financial support for her lawsuits were central to Trump’s argument that she was motivated by politics. —Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 31 May 2026

And revisiting Hansen’s theatrical sting operations in 2026 won’t risk mining nostalgia so much as questioning the defunct true-crime series’ core motives in the first place. —Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 27 May 2026

Some of those reasons or motives are virtuous, and some are not. —Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 21 May 2026