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
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
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
-
Pistons fans are, understandably, in shambles, but one fan is taking matters into his own hands to punish himself for daring to be a Pistons supporter.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Whether landlords and towers are following the law matters because towing in Connecticut has disproportionately occurred in low-income areas.—
Ginny Monk,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Johnson’s spring 2008 collection featured a bevy of the designer’s signature playful prints and motifs, from ruffles and pops of color to polka dots and vibrant tones.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
6 May 2026
-
Glass vases with metallic finishes of unnatural blue, green and gold are drowned in palm leaf motifs, ready to be flowered.—
Christopher Buchanan,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
With the exception of the punitive visit to the bank, Suzanna’s grandmother does not discuss her daughter’s crime or her reasons for committing it.—
James Wood,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
The government exists to create the environment where these technologies can help Californians to flourish, not limit them for sometimes political reasons, which is always overreach.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
Active learning also allows students to follow their own curiosity, which motivates them to learn and remember concepts.—
Shelley Mitchell,
The Conversation,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Amid all their attacks and counter-attacks, what motivates each aggrieved party comes to light, painting a rich, empathetic portrait of lives lived under immense pressure — and the illogical outlets that sometimes become our only means of relief.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The tool then used multi-agent reasoning to surface direct quotes from speakers that support or push back on the central themes.—
Gina Chua,
semafor.com,
6 May 2026
-
Its vision is sharp and clever, its humor unexpected, and its handling of themes of mortality and home genuinely moving.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
The meeting between the two dignitaries will won’t include a livestreamed news conference like those the president has hosted with other international figures.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The large monetary figures Ingoglia unveiled during each news conference came from analyses conducted by the state’s Department of Governmental Efficiency team, or DOGE, which had requested budget information from and visited many municipalities across the state.—
Abigail Hasebroock,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
With a unique blend of Italian and Jersey influences, Davi shares insights and advice through empowering content and a live touring show addressing topics like dating, family dynamics, financial freedom, and how to be a man in the modern world.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
4 May 2026
-
Further hearings this year will examine other topics before the commission publishes its final report in December.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
These patterns, known as diffraction spikes, only appear when a light source is both extremely bright and highly concentrated.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
10 May 2026
-
Inspired by Southern artisans and crafters, the Patchwork Pie uses dough to form quilt-like patterns atop juicy, jammy fruit filling.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
10 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Motives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motives. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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