MOTIVES Synonyms: 148 Similar and Opposite Words

motives 1 of 2

noun

plural of motive

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

as in motifs

a unit of decoration that is repeated all over something (as a fabric) decorated with a paisley motive

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

motives

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of motive

as in motivates

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of motives

Noun

Most of all, the buyers’ motives match in that both are now (in GameStop’s case relatively) riding high, but face dim prospects ahead. —

Shawn Tully, Fortune, 9 May 2026 But Becerra’s motives seem different. —

U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2026 Organizations should reveal their identity and motives as well as the source of any communication. —

Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 May 2026 My motives weren’t any different, but that wasn’t the same for my three business partners. —

Devon Ivie, Vulture, 7 May 2026 But Musk refused, then appeared to grow threatening enough that the court may allow Brockman to testify on the message as evidence supposedly revealing Musk’s true motives for pursuing the litigation. —

Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 4 May 2026 Barnett’s hypothesizing about the motives of a nonexistent male child of Barack Obama is part of a conservative fixation that’s detached from historical reality. —

Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 1 May 2026 Still, our motives have been much more often right than wrong. —

Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 1 May 2026 Many observers saw political motives in the investigations. —

Rachel Barber, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for motives

Noun

If decertified, the union can no longer represent teachers in salary negotiations or other matters.

— Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 May 2026
According to Stern, there is also guardianship paperwork, which has been signed by the children’s mother, that delegates parental authority to Omar, who Stern says has acted as a liaison for the children on school and medical matters because their mother does not speak English, per Rochester First.

— Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026