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motive

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun motive contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of motive are goad, impulse, incentive, inducement, and spur. While all these words 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

In what contexts can goad take the place of motive?

The synonyms goad and motive are sometimes interchangeable, but goad suggests a motive that keeps one going against one's will or desire.

thought insecurity a goad to worker efficiency

When could impulse be used to replace motive?

The meanings of impulse and motive largely overlap; however, impulse suggests a driving power arising from personal temperament or constitution.

buying on impulse

When would incentive be a good substitute for motive?

The words incentive and motive are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, incentive applies to an external influence (such as an expected reward) inciting to action.

a bonus was offered as an incentive

When is inducement a more appropriate choice than motive?

Although the words inducement and motive have much in common, inducement suggests a motive prompted by the deliberate enticements or allurements of another.

offered a watch as an inducement to subscribe

When might spur be a better fit than motive?

In some situations, the words spur and motive are roughly equivalent. However, spur applies to a motive that stimulates the faculties or increases energy or ardor.

fear was a spur to action

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of motive
Noun
There seemed to be no motive for the brutal slaying. Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2025 Trump has repeated that, questioning South Africa’s motives and accusing it of an anti-American foreign policy that supports Hamas, Iran, China and Russia. Gerald Imray, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2025
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 See All Example Sentences for motive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motive
Noun
  • That duo of assault allegations led to Los Angeles County D.A. Jackie Lacey’s office opening its own probe into the matters.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Columbia University has agreed to meet most of the demands the Trump administration presented it last week in a simmering dispute about how the university has responded to campus protests along with other matters involving campus operations.
    Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • For the business meeting, Queen Letizia wore a suit in a shade of black with a faint white pinstripe motif.
    Julia Teti, WWD, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Oak doors in a guest bath, and throughout the house, feature a lacquered motif inspired by Native American patterns.
    Michael James Gardner, Architectural Digest, 19 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • While the free shipping perks of Amazon Prime remain the biggest reason for why most people subscribe, the quality of content on Prime Video had increasingly become a major driver.
    Brian Welk, IndieWire, 27 Mar. 2025
  • People play video games for a lot of different reasons; video games provide a creative outlet, a chance to connect with others, and moving stories that resonate with our personal experiences.
    G Kirilloff, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • In 2010, Rich entered the energy sector, motivated by the tax advantages and profit potential of oil and gas investments.
    Rich Tabaka, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Desir was motivated to join the wrestling team at Forest Hill beginning in her freshman season after watching Instagram reels online.
    Alex Kushel, Sun Sentinel, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Dion encouraged Smith to sing along to the Titanic theme.
    Marina Watts, People.com, 21 Mar. 2025
  • In addition to the Groundhog Day theme, this year's Marche will highlight the city's music, with timed performances as opposed to the open community stage of years past.
    Joe Guillen, Axios, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The Row is known for elevated basics and perfect design.
    Aamina Inayat Khan, StyleCaster, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Dedicate a day of your visit to exploring the incredible buildings here, like the creole cottages that blend Caribbean and French Canadian design.
    Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The high-profile deportations quickly set off a legal battle in the U.S.
    Annabelle Hanflig, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2025
  • However, smoke from the barbeque made its way inside the home, setting off the smoke detectors.
    Angel Saunders, People.com, 19 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The main topic of conversation was how the duo turned a photo album featuring the banal daily activities of workers at Auschwitz-Birkenau into a searing play.
    Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Basic training in granular but powerful topics like these can make a big difference.
    Arturo Garcia, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Motive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motive. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

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