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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.

He said he was sceptical of Burnham's motives, believing he was standing for election to "feather his own cap - hoping to get into Westminster".

From BBC • May 15, 2026

OpenAI's legal team has questioned Musk's own financial motives.

From Barron's • May 4, 2026

“There aren’t clear criteria or mistakes that they’ve made. So it’s hard to say what the motives are.”

From Salon • May 1, 2026

Ms. McDonagh’s stories reveal a range of motives for conversion, as explained by the converts themselves and their friends and critics.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

If I have wounded your sister’s feelings, it was unknowingly done and though the motives which governed me may to you very naturally appear insufficient, I have not yet learnt to condemn them.

From "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen