Categories: GeneralSynonyms

MOTIVE: Synonyms and Related Words. What is Another Word for MOTIVE?

Need another word that means the same as “motive”? Find 33 synonyms and 30 related words for “motive” in this overview.

The synonyms of “Motive” are: motivation, need, motif, reason, rationale, grounds, cause, basis, occasion, thinking, the whys and wherefores, object, purpose, intention, design, theme, idea, concept, subject, topic, leitmotif, trope, element, motivating, motivative, motor, kinetic, driving, impelling, propelling, propulsive, operative, moving

Motive as a Noun

Definitions of "Motive" as a noun

According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, “motive” as a noun can have the following definitions:

  • A theme that is repeated or elaborated in a piece of music.
  • A reason for doing something.
  • The psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior.
  • A motif in art, literature, or music.
  • A design or figure that consists of recurring shapes or colors, as in architecture or decoration.

Synonyms of "Motive" as a noun (23 Words)

basisThe system or principles according to which an activity or process is carried on.
She needed coaching on a regular basis.
causeReasonable grounds for doing, thinking, or feeling something.
They are trying to determine the cause of the crash.
conceptAn idea or mental image which corresponds to some distinct entity or class of entities, or to its essential features, or determines the application of a term (especially a predicate), and thus plays a part in the use of reason or language.
A concept car for next month s Geneva motor show.
designAn arrangement scheme.
Good design can help the reader understand complicated information.
elementEach of more than one hundred substances that cannot be chemically interconverted or broken down into simpler substances and are primary constituents of matter Each element is distinguished by its atomic number i e the number of protons in the nuclei of its atoms.
A component or constituent element of a system.
groundsA justification for something existing or happening.
It is a Middle Eastern custom to read your future in your coffee grounds.
ideaAn approximate calculation of quantity or degree or worth.
It s a good idea to do some research before you go.
intentionAn act of intending; a volition that you intend to carry out.
Good intentions are not enough.
leitmotifA melodic phrase that accompanies the reappearance of a person or situation (as in Wagner’s operas.
There are two leitmotifs in his score marking the heroine and her Fairy Godmother.
motifA leitmotif or figure.
Floral or other motifs are then appliqu d to net veils.
motivationDesire or willingness to do something; enthusiasm.
His motivation was at a high level.
needA condition requiring relief.
She satisfied his need for affection.
object(computing) a discrete item that provides a description of virtually anything known to a computer.
The Institute was opened with the object of promoting scientific study.
occasionA vaguely specified social event.
There was no occasion for complaint.
purposeThe quality of being determined to do or achieve something firmness of purpose.
There was a new sense of purpose in her step as she set off.
rationaleAn explanation of the fundamental reasons (especially an explanation of the working of some device in terms of laws of nature.
The rationale for capital punishment.
reasonOne’s sanity.
The reason that war was declared.
subjectA person who is subjected to experimental or other observational procedures someone who is an object of investigation.
He s the subject of a major new biography.
the whys and whereforesThe cause or intention underlying an action or situation especially in the phrase the whys and wherefores.
themeAny of the twenty-nine provinces in the Byzantine empire.
His letters were always on the theme of love.
thinkingA person’s ideas or opinions.
I am wrap d in dismal thinkings.
topicThe subject matter of a conversation or discussion.
Sleep deprivation became a frequent topic of conversation.
tropeA significant or recurrent theme; a motif.
Both clothes and illness became tropes for new attitudes toward the self.

Usage Examples of "Motive" as a noun

  • Police were unable to establish a motive for his murder.
  • He acted with the best of motives.

Motive as an Adjective

Definitions of "Motive" as an adjective

According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, “motive” as an adjective can have the following definitions:

  • Impelling to action- Arthur Pap.
  • Causing or able to cause motion.
  • Impelling to action.
  • Causing or being the reason for something.
  • Producing physical or mechanical motion.

Synonyms of "Motive" as an adjective (10 Words)

drivingHaving the power of driving or impelling.
The driving force was his innate enthusiasm.
impellingMarkedly effective as if by emotional pressure.
Impelling skill as a teller of tales.
kineticRelating to the motion of material bodies and the forces associated therewith.
Modern dance has been called kinetic pantomime.
motivatingImpelling to action.
Motivating arguments.
motivativeServing to motivate; providing a reason for, or a stimulus to, action or thought.
It may well be that ethical language has primarily a motivative function.
motorRelating to motor vehicles.
The motor functions of each hand.
movingProducing strong emotion, especially sadness or sympathy.
An unforgettable and moving book.
operativeFunctioning or having effect.
Operative dentistry.
propellingTending to or capable of propelling.
propulsiveHaving the power to propel.
The faster a jet plane goes the greater its propulsive efficiency.

Usage Examples of "Motive" as an adjective

  • The charge of gas is the motive force for every piston stroke.
  • Motive pleas.
  • Motive power.
  • The motive principle of a writer's work.
  • A motive force.

Associations of "Motive" (30 Words)

allureDispose or incline or entice to.
Will sponsors really be allured by such opportunities.
attributable(of a work or remark) able to be ascribed to a particular author, artist, or speaker.
Some 50 liturgical works by or attributable to him have survived.
auditoryOf or relating to the process of hearing.
Auditory processing.
bonusAnything that tends to arouse.
Good weather is an added bonus but the real appeal is the landscape.
causeGive rise to cause to happen or occur not always intentionally.
They worked in the cause of world peace.
conditionedPhysically fit.
A conditioned response.
excitationThe neural or electrical arousal of an organ or muscle or gland.
A state of sexual excitation.
excitingCausing great enthusiasm and eagerness.
An exciting account of her trip.
fraudulentUnjustifiably claiming or being credited with particular accomplishments or qualities.
Fraudulent psychics.
impetusThe act of applying force suddenly.
The ending of the Cold War gave new impetus to idealism.
incentiveA payment or concession to stimulate greater output or investment.
Give farmers an incentive to improve their land.
inducementA positive motivational influence.
Inducement of sleep.
inspirationThe act of inhaling; the drawing in of air (or other gases) as in breathing.
Then I had an inspiration.
inspiringHaving the effect of inspiring someone.
The scenery is not very inspiring.
irritantSomething that causes irritation and annoyance.
A powerful skin irritant.
lureSomething used to lure fish or other animals into danger so they can be trapped or killed.
The lure of the exotic East.
motivateProvide (someone) with a reason for doing something.
It is the teacher s job to motivate the child at school.
motivationA set of facts and arguments used in support of a proposal.
The following proposal and motivation is submitted for consideration.
motivatorA positive motivational influence.
She was a great motivator of people and very energetic.
optimismThe belief that good must ultimately prevail over evil in the universe.
The talks had been amicable and there were grounds for optimism.
passionA state or outburst of strong emotion.
A man of impetuous passion.
provocationUnfriendly behavior that causes anger or resentment.
Walking with deliberate provocation she struck a pose then giggled.
reasonDecide by reasoning draw or come to a conclusion.
There is reason to believe he is lying.
reflexIn reflexology a response in a part of the body to stimulation of a corresponding point on the feet hands or head.
Reflex points.
stimulateAct as a stimulant.
This herbal infusion doesn t stimulate.
stimulatingRousing or quickening activity or the senses.
A stimulating discussion.
stimulationThe act of arousing an organism to action.
Stimulation of the vagus nerve slows heart rate.
stimulusAny stimulating information or event; acts to arouse action.
If the tax were abolished it would act as a stimulus to exports.
titillateLightly touch; tickle.
The press are paid to titillate the public.
urgePush for something.
He felt the urge to giggle.
Alexei

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