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

That possibility gives historians a new way to interpret the AKL and the political motives behind it.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 26, 2026

Dating coach Jaime Bronstein is a proponent of using LinkedIn with ulterior motives.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026

Don't Look Down is an album-length interrogation of his motives, insecurities and role as a father, set to a sparkling fusion of hip-hop, gospel and R&B.

From BBC ● Jul. 30, 2026

The suspect had made "incoherent statements", Nunez said, warning however against jumping to conclusions as to his motives.

From Barron's ● Jul. 27, 2026

I have no fear about the outcome of our struggle in Birmingham, even if our motives are at present misunderstood.

From "While the World Watched: A Birmingham Bombing Survivor Comes of Age during the Civil Rights Movement" by Carolyn Maull McKinstry