motives 1 of 2

noun

Definition of motivesnext
plural of motive
1
as in themes
a major object of interest or concern (as in a discussion or artistic composition) the principal motive of the piece was introduced in the flute section

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in motifs
a unit of decoration that is repeated all over something (as a fabric) decorated with a paisley motive

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3
as in reasons
something (as a belief) that serves as the basis for another thing the detective felt that the first suspect didn't have any motive for committing the crime

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motives

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of motive
as in motivates

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for motives
  1. themes
  2. motifs
  3. motivates
  4. topics
  5. inspires
  6. animates
  7. energizes
  8. drives
Noun
  • Logan set about studying every Avett Brothers song, transferring themes and characters to note cards, outlining a draft.
    Robert Sullivan, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2024
  • The event’s key themes are convergence and unexpected discovery, organizers said in a statement.
    WWD Staff, WWD, 21 Oct. 2024
Definition of themes
Noun
  • The rest of the collection taps into fanciful motifs, like the triangle edges in Royale that resemble a medieval flag or the zigzags and x-shapes found throughout.
    Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 4 Oct. 2024
  • The 26-piece collection reimagines some of Aries silhouettes with Arsenal’s motifs in pieces such as tracksuits, graphic T-shirts, football jerseys and denim sets.
    Layla Ilchi, WWD, 3 Oct. 2024
Definition of motifs
Verb
  • Over time, these cycles improve your ability to concentrate and create a sense of accomplishment that motivates you to stay on track.
    Benjamin Laker, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024
  • Listen And Support Once organizations understand what motivates an applicant to apply and an employee to remain, the executive and HR teams can implement these factors.
    Priya Krishnan, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024
Definition of motivates
Noun
  • With that, my team and I shifted focus from topics such as how chronic stress influences brains to how positive events – and anticipation for these events – shape neural functions.
    Kelly Lambert, Discover Magazine, 14 Nov. 2024
  • By Wednesday evening local time, it was not listed among trending topics at all.
    Jennifer Jett, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024
Definition of topics
Verb
  • Attend Conferences And Events Attending conferences or other in-person events always inspires me and gives me an influx of new ideas and concepts to discuss with our team and bring to our clients.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024
  • Nothing inspires creativity as much as conversations.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024
Definition of inspires
Verb
  • This approach, more than any ideology or economic theory, animates Harris’ style of governance.
    Charlotte Alter / Pittsburgh, TIME, 10 Oct. 2024
  • Each appears highly technical, but the machinery that animates the artwork is nothing more than sophisticated applications of rudimentary elements like lenses, mirrors and light.
    Jordan Riefe, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Sep. 2024
Definition of animates
Verb
  • Trees are made out of thin air, as sunlight energizes special cells in their leaves called chloroplasts.
    Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 15 Oct. 2024
  • As the sun in Libra energizes your second house of money and values, Mars in Cancer fires up your 11th house of friendships and friendship groups, triggering tension between your values and personal resources versus your sense of belonging in the world.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 13 Oct. 2024
Definition of energizes
Verb
  • Retention drives long-term success, while acquisition costs diminish over time.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024
  • Severe storms, the study found, lead to a capital depreciation shock that drives down the value of local assets.
    Justin Worland, TIME, 4 Oct. 2024
Definition of drives
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.

Thesaurus Entries Near motives

motived

motives

motiving

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Cite this Entry

“Motives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motives. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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More from Merriam-Webster on motives

Nglish: Translation of motives for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of motives for Arabic Speakers

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