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: something (such as a need or desire) that causes a person to act
Revenge was the murderer's motive.
2
: a recurrent phrase or figure that is developed through the course of a musical composition
3
: motif
the composition's recurring flute motive
1
: of or relating to motion or the causing of motion
motive energy
2
: moving or tending to move to action
Synonyms
Example Sentences
Noun
Their motive in running away was to avoid being punished.
I think he's guilty of the crime. He had the motive, the means, and the opportunity.
She denied that her offer to help was based on selfish motives.
Recent Examples on the Web
Faith Karimi, CNN, 19 Mar. 2023
The cause of death and motive have not been released.
—CBS News, 18 Mar. 2023
An anonymous tip to the police stated that the motive was likely to be anger toward religious groups.
—Pietro De Cristofaro And Geir Moulson, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Mar. 2023
There [were] a lot of flow charts happening and keeping track of who is where when to make sure your motive and opportunity line up.
—Samantha Highfill, EW.com, 9 Mar. 2023
Police said the motive remains under investigation.
—Jasmine Hilton, Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2023
No arrests were immediately announced and a motive remains under investigation.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 5 Mar. 2023
Few people in American history had less time, inclination or motive to devote to fantasy or foolishness.
—Fox News, 3 Mar. 2023
Ivey said a motive for the deadly violence was unclear and remains under investigation.
—Jessica Schladebeck New York Daily News (tns), al, 2 Mar. 2023
Jordan Parker, San Francisco Chronicle, 9 Mar. 2023
Police have not yet identified a suspect or motive, but said officers recovered a shotgun at the scene.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 26 Feb. 2023
Homicide detectives are investigating the shooting and have not identified a suspect or motive, according to police.
—Dan Belson, Baltimore Sun, 13 Feb. 2023
The motive and exact nature of the relationships between Syed and the victims – and the victims to one another – remained unclear.
—Dallas News, 9 Aug. 2022
The cause, motive, and perpetrators of the poisonings are unknown.
—Peter Weber, The Week, 2 Mar. 2023
Wilson was testifying at a hearing, outside of the earshot of the jury, to determine whether evidence of Alex Murdaugh's prior financial crimes can be introduced at his double murder trial to prove motive.
—Fox News, 7 Feb. 2023
However, what differentiates kindness from exploitation is motive.
—Jenna Ryu, USA TODAY, 1 Feb. 2023
The lieutenant said the motive and other circumstances of the shooting remain under investigation.
—David Hernandez
Feb. 1, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Feb. 2023
Dallas News, 18 May 2022
The coming together of both aspects of his game has also led him to become more vocal on the court, both to keep himself motivated and to motive others.
—oregonlive, 5 Aug. 2020
Defense attorneys tried to get those allegations blocked by the court, but U.S. District Judge Thomas Whelan ruled the allegations were relevant to whether campaign money was spent illegally and spoke to motive and intent.
—Arkansas Online, 2 Dec. 2019
Police did not immediately offer information as to motive or suspect description.
—Keri Blakinger, Houston Chronicle, 21 Jan. 2018
Of course, with all reports like this, speculation as to motive for such stories must be questioned.
—Mark Heim, AL.com, 12 Oct. 2017
My photography is first and foremost a catalyst or reason to motive human action.
—Olivier Laurent, Time, 30 June 2017
See More
Noun
Decades later, questions remain about his sanity and motive.
—Faith Karimi, CNN, 19 Mar. 2023
The cause of death and motive have not been released.
—CBS News, 18 Mar. 2023
An anonymous tip to the police stated that the motive was likely to be anger toward religious groups.
—Pietro De Cristofaro And Geir Moulson, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Mar. 2023
There [were] a lot of flow charts happening and keeping track of who is where when to make sure your motive and opportunity line up.
—Samantha Highfill, EW.com, 9 Mar. 2023
Police said the motive remains under investigation.
—Jasmine Hilton, Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2023
No arrests were immediately announced and a motive remains under investigation.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 5 Mar. 2023
Few people in American history had less time, inclination or motive to devote to fantasy or foolishness.
—Fox News, 3 Mar. 2023
Ivey said a motive for the deadly violence was unclear and remains under investigation.
—Jessica Schladebeck New York Daily News (tns), al, 2 Mar. 2023
Adjective
The suspect and motive for the crime were not immediately known, but officers were still at the scene determining whether the incident involved students at the high school, officials said.
—Jordan Parker, San Francisco Chronicle, 9 Mar. 2023
Police have not yet identified a suspect or motive, but said officers recovered a shotgun at the scene.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 26 Feb. 2023
Homicide detectives are investigating the shooting and have not identified a suspect or motive, according to police.
—Dan Belson, Baltimore Sun, 13 Feb. 2023
The motive and exact nature of the relationships between Syed and the victims – and the victims to one another – remained unclear.
—Dallas News, 9 Aug. 2022
The cause, motive, and perpetrators of the poisonings are unknown.
—Peter Weber, The Week, 2 Mar. 2023
Wilson was testifying at a hearing, outside of the earshot of the jury, to determine whether evidence of Alex Murdaugh's prior financial crimes can be introduced at his double murder trial to prove motive.
—Fox News, 7 Feb. 2023
However, what differentiates kindness from exploitation is motive.
—Jenna Ryu, USA TODAY, 1 Feb. 2023
The lieutenant said the motive and other circumstances of the shooting remain under investigation.
—David Hernandez
Feb. 1, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Feb. 2023
Verb
Police are investigating the circumstances and motive around the shooting and have not announced any arrests.
—Dallas News, 18 May 2022
The coming together of both aspects of his game has also led him to become more vocal on the court, both to keep himself motivated and to motive others.
—oregonlive, 5 Aug. 2020
Defense attorneys tried to get those allegations blocked by the court, but U.S. District Judge Thomas Whelan ruled the allegations were relevant to whether campaign money was spent illegally and spoke to motive and intent.
—Arkansas Online, 2 Dec. 2019
Police did not immediately offer information as to motive or suspect description.
—Keri Blakinger, Houston Chronicle, 21 Jan. 2018
Of course, with all reports like this, speculation as to motive for such stories must be questioned.
—Mark Heim, AL.com, 12 Oct. 2017
My photography is first and foremost a catalyst or reason to motive human action.
—Olivier Laurent, Time, 30 June 2017
See More
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'motive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English, from Anglo-French motif, motive, from motif, adjective, moving, from Medieval Latin motivus, from Latin motus, past participle of movēre to move
Adjective
Middle French or Medieval Latin; Middle French motif, from Medieval Latin motivus
First Known Use
Noun
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1657, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of motive was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing motive
Dictionary Entries Near motive
Cite this Entry
“Motive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/motive. Accessed 27 Mar. 2023.
Kids Definition
Medical Definition
motive
noun
mo·tive
ˈmōt-iv 
: something (as a need or desire) that causes a person to act
Legal Definition
motive
noun
mo·tive
: something (as a need or desire) that causes a person to act
Note: Motive is distinguished from intent or mens rea. Although motive is not an element of a crime, evidence of motive can be introduced to help establish intent.
Etymology
Noun
Anglo-French motif, from Middle French motif adjective, moving, from Medieval Latin motivus, from Latin motus, past participle of movēre to move
More from Merriam-Webster on motive
Nglish: Translation of motive for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of motive for Arabic Speakers
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