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.

See Examples For:

motives

They certainly seem sincere, but some investors suspected ulterior motives when CEOs were so quick to consider tapping the brakes.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2026

It added that no suspects or motives had been identified, but the national police unit was investigating.

From BBC ● Sep. 15, 2026

I’m interested in people’s motives behind storytelling and what’s in, what’s cool, what’s hot, what has currency, and what are the intentions of the people telling those stories?

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 15, 2026

Yet some are questioning the motives of these AI leaders, while also arguing that by slowing down AI development, U.S. companies would only be letting international rivals get ahead.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 14, 2026

They speculated about Winnie Ruth’s motives for this recent murder.

From "Song of Solomon" by Toni Morrison