motive

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.

According to Ortiz’s statement, Hatley provided the same motive to him that she had given her friend Hardee: With Cynthia out of the way, Ortiz would come back to her.

From Slate • Apr. 6, 2026

And in the crucial scene when Sonny is put on the phone with Leon, whom he calls his wife—Sonny’s motive is to pay for Leon’s sex-reassignment surgery—he strikes moving notes of pathos.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

The motive for taking Ashaal was also unclear.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

The motive behind the apparent plot was not immediately clear.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

Angeline pointed to the book, the sheaf of chimookoman paper, the evidence in Fishtail’s hand that he had another motive in attending the school.

From "The Birchbark House" by Louise Erdrich