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.

As a minister, he felt bound to question the spirit’s motives and try to protect Lizzie from evil.

From Literature

For three decades, the meta-horror franchise “Scream” has outmaneuvered its fandom with so many convoluted murder motives that the only shocker left would be a straightforward, sincere slasher.

From Los Angeles Times

With no clear motive, everyone became a suspect, with police knocking on every door in the village.

From BBC

For the hedge knight who inspired Baelor’s intervention, the motives are more reflexive.

From Salon

“There is still a tendency for rising incomes to be saved rather than spent out of cautious motives,” Buerkl added.

From The Wall Street Journal