motive

1 of 3

noun

mo·​tive ˈmō-tiv How to pronounce motive (audio)
sense 2 is also
mō-ˈtēv How to pronounce motive (audio)
1
: 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
motiveless adjective
motivelessly adverb
motivic adjective

motive

2 of 3

adjective

mo·​tive ˈmō-tiv How to pronounce motive (audio)
1
: of or relating to motion or the causing of motion
motive energy
2
: moving or tending to move to action

motive

3 of 3

verb

mo·​tive ˈmō-tiv How to pronounce motive (audio)
motived; motiving
Choose the Right Synonym for motive

motive, impulse, incentive, inducement, spur, goad mean a stimulus to action.

motive implies an emotion or desire operating on the will and causing it to act.

a motive for the crime

impulse suggests a driving power arising from personal temperament or constitution.

buying on impulse

incentive applies to an external influence (such as an expected reward) inciting to action.

a bonus was offered as an incentive

inducement suggests a motive prompted by the deliberate enticements or allurements of another.

offered a watch as an inducement to subscribe

spur applies to a motive that stimulates the faculties or increases energy or ardor.

fear was a spur to action

goad suggests a motive that keeps one going against one's will or desire.

thought insecurity a goad to worker efficiency

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
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

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

motive

1 of 2 noun
mo·​tive ˈmōt-iv How to pronounce motive (audio)
sense 2 is also
mō-ˈtēv How to pronounce motive (audio)
1
: something (as a need or desire) that leads or influences a person to do something
their motive in running away was to avoid trouble
2
: motif

motive

2 of 2 adjective
mo·​tive ˈmōt-iv How to pronounce motive (audio)
: of, relating to, or causing motion
motive power

Medical Definition

motive

noun
mo·​tive ˈmōt-iv How to pronounce motive (audio)
: 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

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