motive
noun
mo·tive
| \ ˈmō-tiv
, sense 2 is also mō-ˈtēv
\
, sense 2 is also mō-ˈtēv
\
Definition of motive
(Entry 1 of 3)
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
motive
adjective
mo·tive
| \ ˈmō-tiv
\
\
Definition of motive (Entry 2 of 3)
1
: of or relating to motion or the causing of motion
motive energy
2
: moving or tending to move to action
motive
verb
mo·tive
| \ ˈmō-tiv
\
\
motived;
motiving
Definition of motive (Entry 3 of 3)
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Other Words from motive
Noun
motiveless
\ ˈmō-tiv-ləs
\
adjective
\
adjective
motivelessly
adverb
motivic
\ mō-ˈtē-vik
\
adjective
\
adjective
Synonyms for motive
Synonyms: Noun
content, matter, motif, question, subject, theme, topic
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Examples of motive in a Sentence
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
The case provided a grim look at the underside of teen life in small-town Palmer and young defendants displaying little if any motive. — Zaz Hollander, Anchorage Daily News, "A third trial in the killing of a Palmer teen is underway. But this time it’s in Fairbanks.," 12 Sep. 2019 While polls suggest the overwhelming majority of Republican voters support Trump, some veteran GOP officials were troubled by the decisions to cancel elections altogether, dismissing the cost-cutting motive as spin. — CBS News, "Iowa and New Hampshire won't cancel 2020 GOP primaries," 11 Sep. 2019 The motive continues to be investigated, say officials. — Kc Baker, PEOPLE.com, "N.J. Woman, 23, Allegedly Stabbed Her Mother to Death — Now Police Are Trying to Determine Why," 9 Sep. 2019 Police said the motive and circumstances of the shooting are under investigation. — Alejandro Serrano, SFChronicle.com, "Man arrested in connection with fatal San Jose shooting," 9 Sep. 2019 Authorities have not established a political connection to the shooter's apparent motive, but that didn't stop the posts from spreading or Trump from repeatedly noting the shooter's apparent political leanings. — Amanda Seitz, Fortune, "False Claims Blur Line Between Mass Shootings, 2020 Politics," 5 Sep. 2019 For him, the tree is saved for the tree’s sake alone, without an ulterior motive. — Rabbi Avi Weiss, sun-sentinel.com, "Each one of us is like the tree of the field," 3 Sep. 2019 Police say the shooter was a white man in his 30s but have not released a name or possible motive. — chicagotribune.com, "Death toll rises to 7 in shootings in Odessa and Midland, Texas; gunman also fatally shot," 1 Sep. 2019 The database tracks all U.S. homicides since 2006 involving four or more people killed (not including the offender) over a short period of time (24 hours) regardless of weapon, location, victim-offender relationship or motive. — Houston Chronicle, "AP: U.S. mass killings reach total for all of 2018," 31 Aug. 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective
Two days after the shooting Micah Johnson found motive to ambush police office in Dallas during a peaceful protest. — Mark Berman, Washington Post, "Baton Rouge police release video showing fatal shooting of Alton Sterling, plan to fire one officer," 30 Mar. 2018 Detectives have not motive or suspects in the killings. — Michelle Hunter, NOLA.com, "Family to hold vigil Wednesday for Marrero double murder victim," 25 Oct. 2017 They were not identified, and no suspect or motive information was released. — baltimoresun.com, "2 teens shot in Northeast Baltimore," 29 Aug. 2017 On the Transit, defective flexible coupling could cause separation of the drive shaft, cutting off motive power, causing the vehicle to move while parked or damaging surrounding parts. — Nathan Bomey, USA TODAY, "Ford Transit recalled: Drive shaft defect costs $142 million," 28 June 2017 Dale’s absence and the threat of visitors in my home gave me motive and opportunity to clean. — Gayle Carline, Orange County Register, "What a Day: It’s never too early for spring cleaning," 20 Jan. 2017Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
Police did not immediately offer information as to motive or suspect description. — Keri Blakinger, Houston Chronicle, "Man beaten, stabbed after argument in Alief," 21 Jan. 2018 Of course, with all reports like this, speculation as to motive for such stories must be questioned. — Mark Heim, AL.com, "Penn State preparing for Texas A&M to make run at James Franklin, per report," 12 Oct. 2017 My photography is first and foremost a catalyst or reason to motive human action. — Olivier Laurent, Time, "Why We Do It: Photographers and Photo Editors on the Passion That Drives Their Work," 30 June 2017These 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.
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