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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.

Most of those who replied to his post agreed that a request for an Uber is unreasonable and that his date’s motives were financial.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 3, 2026

They question Hilton’s motives for growing the beard and say all it does is expose his follicle deficiencies in comparison to Bianco’s lush upper lip.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026

“Detectives are evaluating all potential motives for the assault, including whether the incident may have had a political component; however, we have not developed evidence to support that conclusion,” Escondido Police Lt.

From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2026

It added that it prioritises registrations for placements where children need to be accommodated urgently and it is "very concerned" about the profit motives of some providers.

From BBC • May 20, 2026

I don’t trust Estraven, whose motives are forever obscure; I don’t like him; yet I feel and respond to his authority as surely as I do to the warmth of the sun.

From "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin