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motive
1[moh-tiv]
noun
something that causes a person to act in a certain way, do a certain thing, etc.; incentive.
Synonyms: , , , , , , ,the goal or object of a person's actions.
Her motive was revenge.
(in art, literature, and music) a motif.
adjective
causing, or tending to cause, motion.
pertaining to motion.
prompting to action.
constituting a motive or motives.
verb (used with object)
to motivate.
-motive
2a combining form of motive.
automotive.
motive
/ ˈəʊɪ /
noun
the reason for a certain course of action, whether conscious or unconscious
a variant of motif
adjective
of or causing motion or action
a motive force
of or acting as a motive; motivating
verb
to motivate
Other 51Թ Forms
- motiveless adjective
- motivelessly adverb
- motivelessness noun
- well-motived adjective
- ˈdzپԱ noun
- ˈdzپ adverb
- ˈdzپ adjective
51Թ History and Origins
51Թ History and Origins
Origin of motive1
Synonym Study
Example Sentences
The motives of the attack are still unknown.
While officials are still investigating the possible motive for the killing, local officials are often targeted by criminal gangs for failing to do their bidding.
She has called the photo a “provocation,” hinting of dark motives, but has failed to clarify her suspicions.
But Dumont’s motives are not just financial: Taylor is her estranged father and suffers from Lewy body dementia, which makes getting to the truth a race against time.
They did not give details on a possible motive.
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Related 51Թs
When To Use
A motive is something that causes a person to act in a certain way, as in Luciana’s motive for studying was the F she got on the last exam.A motive can also be the reward or benefit received for completing an action in a certain way or time, as in Yosef’s motive for signing up for the hike was to climb to the top of the mountain.Motive can also describe something as relating to motion or movement, such as a motive engine. A common misuse of this form is auto motive. The term automotive comes from the term, but it is a standalone word, not a phrase.Example: We need to identify a motive before we can continue investigating.
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