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.

The motive behind the apparent plot was not immediately clear.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

Guthrie said in the interview that a motive for the abduction is unclear but worries it’s possible her fame might have been a factor.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

Authorities said it was too early to determine the suspect’s motive or whether there was prior intelligence concerning the person.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026

Bouchard, the sheriff, called the crime a "hateful, terrible thing", but did not elaborate on a specific motive.

From BBC • Mar. 12, 2026

An overwhelmingly strong motive made the ship anchor there.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton