motive

Examples

• All

• If Mr. Rose did it, what was his motive?

  Jack Ensch: Hanoi Hilton POW (2016)

• Let me repeat that the motive for taking action is the why.

• First, his primary motive was love for music.

• And so I think that was, you know, my motive behind it back then.

• And that I was wondering what your motive was.

• You may judge which motive is the more reliable.

  Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

• We're pretty sure there was a motive.

  Beyond Borders (2003)

• And she may have a different motive for why she volunteered to get married.

  cari can read

• Health reasons are, however, not the only motives individuals have for taking part in sports.

  Academic text (1999)

• Everyone is assuming the motive is hatred or revenge.

  The Pelican Brief (1993)

Synonyms

R

reason

vsmotive

∞ 1.0

A cause or explanation for something that happened

is the driving force behind action often not obvious or stated

P

purpose

vsmotive

∞ 1.6

The reason something is done or made

is more about an internal or possibly hidden cause for acting

I

interest

vsmotive

669 2.3

A reason for doing something to help someone

is a broader internal reason that can be hidden or varied

I

incentive

vsmotive

439 3.9

A thing that makes a person want to do something, often a reward

is an internal, sometimes hidden reason rather than an external reward

I

intent

vsmotive

417 3.4

The reason someone does or says something

is more about a possibly hidden reason that drives action

M

motivation

vsmotive

348 2.7

A reason or desire that makes someone want to do something

focuses on the underlying reason often not obvious or stated

J

justification

vsmotive

156 4.0

A reason or explanation that shows an action is acceptable

is the internal cause or hidden driver, not the defense or excuse

E

ethical motive

vsmotive

6.5

A reason for doing something because you think it is right

is a general driving reason that may not be specifically moral

Antonyms

D

disincentive

12 7.2

A thing that makes people less likely to do something

Compounds

M

motive power

• Specialized

1 5.5

Energy that makes a machine like a car or train move

R

rational motive

1 5.6

A reason for doing something that someone can explain with clear thinking

E

ethical motive

6.5

A reason for doing something because you think it is right

I

irrational motive

7.7

A reason for doing something that is not logical or sensible

How Motivating

driving force

39 4.1

incentive

439 3.9

motive

621 3.0

reason

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology