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

Need another word that means the same as “motives”? Find 6 synonyms and 30 related words for “motives” in this overview.

The synonyms of “Motives” are: motivation, need, motif, motivating, motivative, motor

Motives as a Noun

Definitions of "Motives" as a noun

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

• A design or figure that consists of recurring shapes or colors, as in architecture or decoration.
• A theme that is repeated or elaborated in a piece of music.
• 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.

Synonyms of "Motives" as a noun (3 Words)

motif	A leitmotif or figure. Superstition is a recurring motif in the book.
motivation	The condition of being motivated. We did not understand his motivation.
need	Anything that is necessary but lacking. She satisfied his need for affection.

Usage Examples of "Motives" as a noun

• He acted with the best of motives.

Motives as an Adjective

Definitions of "Motives" as an adjective

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

• Impelling to action- Arthur Pap.
• Impelling to action.
• Causing or able to cause motion.

Synonyms of "Motives" as an adjective (3 Words)

motivating	Impelling to action. Motivating arguments.
motivative	Impelling to action- Arthur Pap. It may well be that ethical language has primarily a motivative function.
motor	Relating to motor vehicles. Motor nerves.

Usage Examples of "Motives" as an adjective

• A motive force.
• Motive power.
• Motive pleas.

Associations of "Motives" (30 Words)

allure	The quality of being powerfully and mysteriously attractive or fascinating. People for whom gold holds no allure.
attributable	(of a work or remark) able to be ascribed to a particular author, artist, or speaker. 43 percent of all deaths in Ireland were attributable to cardiovascular disease.
auditory	Relating to the sense of hearing. Auditory processing.
bonus	An extra and unexpected advantage. Big Christmas bonuses.
cause	Give rise to cause to happen or occur not always intentionally. Cause an accident.
conditioned	Physically fit. A conditioned response.
excitation	The application of current to the winding of an electromagnet to produce a magnetic field. Two parallel coils with opposing excitation windings.
exciting	Causing great enthusiasm and eagerness. One of the most exciting matches I ve ever seen.
fraudulent	Obtained, done by, or involving deception, especially criminal deception. Fraudulent share dealing.
impetus	The force or energy with which a body moves. The ending of the Cold War gave new impetus to idealism.
incentive	A thing that motivates or encourages someone to do something. Tax incentives for investing in depressed areas.
inducement	Act of bringing about a desired result. It is claimed that she was offered an inducement to plead guilty.
inspiration	The process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative. Crackling sounds are heard in the stethoscope on inspiration.
inspiring	Having the effect of inspiring someone. The scenery is not very inspiring.
irritant	Causing slight inflammation or other discomfort to the body. A powerful skin irritant.
lure	Something used to lure fish or other animals into danger so they can be trapped or killed. He lured me into temptation.
motivate	Request (something) and present facts and arguments in support of one’s request. He was primarily motivated by the desire for profit.
motivation	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. Keep staff up to date and maintain interest and motivation.
motivator	A person who promotes interest in or enthusiasm for something. Fear is a powerful motivator.
optimism	A general disposition to expect the best in all things. The talks had been amicable and there were grounds for optimism.
passion	Any object of warm affection or devotion. Their all consuming passion for each other.
provocation	Action or speech held to be likely to prompt physical retaliation. The result was a provocation of vigorous investigation.
reason	Present reasons and arguments. The reason that war was declared.
reflex	In reflexology a response in a part of the body to stimulation of a corresponding point on the feet hands or head. Sneezing is reflexive.
stimulate	Cause to occur rapidly. The reader could not fail to be stimulated by the ideas presented.
stimulating	That stimulates. A rich and stimulating working environment.
stimulation	(physiology) the effect of a stimulus (on nerves or organs etc. The child needs plenty of stimulation as bored hands can make mischief.
stimulus	A thing that arouses activity or energy in someone or something; a spur or incentive. She loved the stimulus of the job.
titillate	Excite pleasurably or erotically. The press are paid to titillate the public.
urge	Spur on or encourage especially by cheers and shouts. Sexual urges.