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motive

[moh-tiv] / ˈmoʊ tɪv /


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 police have said two Mozambican men were killed in Western Cape province earlier this month but have not given a motive.

From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026

“We cannot rationally justify a pause when a Governing Council driven by an insurance motive now faces a substantially worse inflation outlook than in March,” he added.

From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026

None of these middling elements would be particularly grating if it weren’t so apparent that “Cars” had an ulterior capitalist motive.

From Salon • Jun. 6, 2026

District Judge Waverly Crenshaw called out the government’s motive in no uncertain terms.

From Slate • May 28, 2026

Then she recalled her first motive, from so long ago that she’d almost forgotten it.

From "The Golden Compass" by Philip Pullman




Vocabulary lists containing motive


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