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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.

Anybody making a financial pitch to you out of the blue likely has ulterior motives.

From MarketWatch • May 26, 2026

Over 1,200 companies were taking part in the expo, according to organisers, plying their wares to the tens of thousands of attendees there for a startling variety of motives.

From Barron's • May 21, 2026

The prosecution told the court that Ott was "not romantic about Russia", but had acted out of financial motives and frustration with work.

From BBC • May 20, 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

Even my motives seem murky at the moment.

From "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich