Showing results for motives.

motives

NOUN

reason, purpose

Synonyms

STRONGEST

aim cause consideration emotion feeling idea impulse influence intent intention motivation passion rationale

STRONG

antecedent basis design determinant drive end grounds incentive incitement inducement inspiration mainspring object occasion root spring spur stimulus thinking

Antonyms

STRONGEST

neglect thoughtlessness

STRONG

discouragement hindrance

WEAK

deterrent

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“Detectives are evaluating all potential motives for the assault, including whether the incident may have had a political component; however, we have not developed evidence to support that conclusion,” Escondido Police Lt.

From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2026

Anybody making a financial pitch to you out of the blue likely has ulterior motives.

From MarketWatch • May 26, 2026

He said he was sceptical of Burnham's motives, believing he was standing for election to "feather his own cap - hoping to get into Westminster".

From BBC • May 15, 2026

Harold Ruvoldt Jr., the local prosecutor, concluded that almost all the fires had noneconomic motives.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

People began to question each others motives and planted seeds of doubt.

From "Between Shades of Gray" by Ruta Sepetys