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 title of his book comes from the Beatles song, which Bugliosi claimed inspired Manson to jump-start a race war that would eventually lead to him ruling the world—a motive that many question, then or now. — Jim Derogatis, The New Yorker, "Charles Manson’s Musical Ambitions," 14 Aug. 2019 With a Rifle Leaves a CHP Officer Dead No motive has been named in the Riverside shootout that left a gunman and an officer dead, but a portrait of the gunman is emerging. — Los Angeles Times, "Newsletter: Today: Trump backs down on tariffs, ‘just in case’," 14 Aug. 2019 Authorities have been trying to piece together a motive and other factors that led to the mass shooting Aug. 4. — CBS News, "Police split on whether Dayton, Ohio, gunman targeted sister," 13 Aug. 2019 Authorities declined to discuss a motive or say who the alleged gunman was shooting at. — Chris Boyette And Darran Simon, CNN, "A gunman is in custody after he opened fire at a Chicago VA hospital, the FBI says; no one was injured," 12 Aug. 2019 Police are investigating the motive and circumstances surrounding the shooting, and no suspects have been arrested or identified, according to Garcia. — Jason Green, The Mercury News, "Man shot to death in East San Jose," 11 Aug. 2019 The agency eliminated robbery as a motive at the time because nothing appeared to be taken from the home. — Chelsea Curtis, azcentral, "28 years later, family still awaits justice in murder of Fountain Hills woman," 10 Aug. 2019 After these rumors began, Julian Assange of Wikileaks gave the conspiracy theorists a motive by hinting that Rich, not Russian hackers, provided WikiLeaks with the DNC’s emails. — Dylan Matthews, Vox, "The conspiracy theories about the Clintons and Jeffrey Epstein’s death, explained," 10 Aug. 2019 Carl Whitney said the motive appeared to be robbery, as well as anger and hate. — Jaclyn Cosgrove, Anchorage Daily News, "4 stabbed to death, 2 injured in Southern California robbery spree," 8 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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