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
Ashley Hiruko, ProPublica, 6 Oct. 2025
Cruz acknowledged that the organization took action on the allegations of biased editing, but questioned its motives.
—ArsTechnica, 6 Oct. 2025
In an interview with Artforum earlier this year, Ng offered insight into her curatorial motives.
—News Desk, Artforum, 6 Oct. 2025
Crenshaw is allowing both sides to conduct discovery concerning the government's motives in prosecuting Abrego Garcia.
—Evan Mealins, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Oct. 2025
Comments from new donors reflect a range of motives.
—David Folkenflik, NPR, 3 Oct. 2025
The reality show, in which daters get to know potential spouses from the other side of a wall, is set in Denver this time around, with a group of new singles who have various motives for wanting to date without seeing or being seen by a potential partner.
—Madeleine Janz, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
One reason politicians get such a bad rap is that so many depict themselves as having pure, noble motives on high-profile issues while being unrepentant, undemocratic bullies when there are fewer cameras around.
—U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Sep. 2025
Some readers may bristle at her honesty, misread her motives, or choose to sit in judgment.
—Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
But internal records reveal more complicated motives.
—Ashley Hiruko, ProPublica, 6 Oct. 2025
Cruz acknowledged that the organization took action on the allegations of biased editing, but questioned its motives.
—ArsTechnica, 6 Oct. 2025
In an interview with Artforum earlier this year, Ng offered insight into her curatorial motives.
—News Desk, Artforum, 6 Oct. 2025
Crenshaw is allowing both sides to conduct discovery concerning the government's motives in prosecuting Abrego Garcia.
—Evan Mealins, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Oct. 2025
Comments from new donors reflect a range of motives.
—David Folkenflik, NPR, 3 Oct. 2025
The reality show, in which daters get to know potential spouses from the other side of a wall, is set in Denver this time around, with a group of new singles who have various motives for wanting to date without seeing or being seen by a potential partner.
—Madeleine Janz, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
One reason politicians get such a bad rap is that so many depict themselves as having pure, noble motives on high-profile issues while being unrepentant, undemocratic bullies when there are fewer cameras around.
—U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Sep. 2025
Some readers may bristle at her honesty, misread her motives, or choose to sit in judgment.
—Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motives
Noun
-
Despite the genre's themes, horror fans describe their community as kind, open-minded, and welcoming.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Those are universal important themes to be exploring.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Plants and natural forms are not afterthoughts, but recurring motifs.—
Kathy Barnes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Derrick Adams’ works celebrated the color and movement through vibrant geometric styles; David Shrigley featured wit and humor through banana motifs and Hattie Stewart leaned into a trippy take on optimism through Pop-Surrealist florals.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
There are good reasons for wanting to learn from Switzerland’s experience.—
Peter Vanham,
Fortune,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Layoffs can occur for many reasons; while they can be viewed as a signal about how companies view economic headwinds, the reasons may also be more localized to individual companies amid restructuring or plans to maximize profits.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
What motivates your entrepreneurial drive today?—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
29 Sep. 2025
-
That gives me a great sense of satisfaction, keeps me mentally and physically active, and motivates me to keep on keeping on.—
Jan Wagner,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
One of the defendants, Benjamin Song — a 32-year-old former Marine Corps reservist who associates described to authorities as a cult-like ringleader who opposes the government on immigration enforcement and on other matters — shot Alvarado Police Department Lt.—
Emerson Clarridge,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Dale Ellis covers the federal courthouse beat for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, reporting on criminal and civil matters that impact Arkansans.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
This marked a slight increase on figures from August, during which time Moscow claimed to have downed 2,786 Ukrainian drones at an average rate of nearly 90 per day.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Dylan Cease, the talented but mercurial right-hander, will take the mound Wednesday afternoon with what figures to be a short leash.—
Dennis Lin,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
What's your process for discovering which types of topics or stories will appeal to our search audience?—
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel,
jsonline.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The result is a collection of songs that are immediately engrossing and among the most affecting of Swift’s career, while also focusing on topics like Hamlet and suburban bliss.—
Liz Schubauer,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Other Club stocks like DuPont have undergone similar patterns.—
Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Either technology can show an assortment of issues like banding and dithering patterns in fills, which vary from printer to printer and can even vary from one quality setting to another with the same printer.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Motives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motives. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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