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
Jasmine Arenas, CBS News, 13 May 2026
She was criticized publicly by some colleagues as well anonymous government officials who were quoted in Israeli and international media questioning her motives.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 12 May 2026
On the one hand, background checks and psychological evaluations could help weed out individuals with questionable motives.
—Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 11 May 2026
Criminologists point out that society can create a narrative — whether based on reality or an exaggeration of it — that dominates culture and surpasses the motives of one person.
—Lorena O’Neil, Rolling Stone, 11 May 2026
Makary and his deputies have also regularly overruled career staff, often with nakedly political motives.
—Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 10 May 2026
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
My motives weren’t any different, but that wasn’t the same for my three business partners.
—Devon Ivie, Vulture, 7 May 2026
Noun
Denver police say investigators are still trying to learn more about Mott's motives.
—Jasmine Arenas, CBS News, 13 May 2026
She was criticized publicly by some colleagues as well anonymous government officials who were quoted in Israeli and international media questioning her motives.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 12 May 2026
On the one hand, background checks and psychological evaluations could help weed out individuals with questionable motives.
—Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 11 May 2026
Criminologists point out that society can create a narrative — whether based on reality or an exaggeration of it — that dominates culture and surpasses the motives of one person.
—Lorena O’Neil, Rolling Stone, 11 May 2026
Makary and his deputies have also regularly overruled career staff, often with nakedly political motives.
—Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 10 May 2026
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
My motives weren’t any different, but that wasn’t the same for my three business partners.
—Devon Ivie, Vulture, 7 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motives
Noun
-
Washington required time to finish up a few personal matters.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
-
This matters because fermentation reduces bitterness and makes plant compounds, especially polyphenols, more available.—
Dr. Steven Gundry,
CNBC,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
Kira creates original patterns inspired by traditional Japanese motifs, including wagara, the decorative designs commonly found in kimono textiles.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
14 May 2026
-
Merging the world of racing with feminine touches for fan merch, racing graphic motifs are paired with puff ink, embroidery, vintage-washed and checkerboard patterns for apparel and accessories.—
Kanika Talwar,
Footwear News,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
There are many reasons to be concerned about this particular Ebola outbreak.—
Jesse Pines,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
-
Numerous Democratic officeholders raised questions about whether Colbert was axed for political reasons.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Boxing tempts him, the business world motivates him and his role as a promoter excites him.—
Jorge Ebro
May 6,
Miami Herald,
6 May 2026
-
Her determination to win the spirit's praise and to attain his immense gifts motivates her to achieve the ultimate dominant position.—
Lisa Stardust,
PEOPLE,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
What led you to explore the heavy and difficult themes related to relationships and sexuality that the women in Gentle Monster face?—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2026
-
Expressed through a bold, imaginative aesthetic, the film invites adult audiences to connect with themes of abandonment, control and self-discovery.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
Kofman’s article chronicles the path of such ideas from the fringes to the mainstream, outlining their influence on figures such as Peter Thiel, Stephen Miller, and Elon Musk.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
20 May 2026
-
State Department figures show 6,066 — or 99% — of the refugees were from South Africa, while the other three hailed from Afghanistan.—
Camilo Montoya-Galvez,
CBS News,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
The conservatism that would eventually hobble the daytime soap had its roots in this era, when soap viewers with especially fragile sensibilities had specific conceptions of what topics a soap should cover and made no bones about airing their protests.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
-
The full feature slate spans material on topics including the Southport riots, fracking in West Texas, the Rohingya refugee crisis, bride slavery in India, artificial intelligence and the deforestation of Canada’s Boreal Forest.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
The idea is being studied by scientists, who warn that impacts may be unpredictable, including changes in rain patterns, draughts and unforeseen weather changes.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
18 May 2026
-
So, too, has ball progression from their initial build-up phase after last summer’s sale of Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid, as well as a lack of patterns of play in the final third.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Motives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motives. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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