Synonyms for motive
- noun
- adjective
- verb
Most common
purpose principle motivation incentive argument strain incitement
Synonyms by meaning
Noun
1. Motivation — an incentive to act in a particular way; a reason or emotion that makes one want to do something; anything…
motivation, reason, purpose, consideration, cause, principle, incentive, inducement, object, sake US, saki UK, design, ground, score, spring
Adjective
1. Moving — causing motion; having power to move, or tending to move
2. Motivating
Verb
Definitions
- n. 1
An incentive to act in a particular way; a reason or emotion that makes one want to do something; anything that prompts a choice of action.
- adj. 1
Causing motion; having power to move, or tending to move
- adj. 2
Relating to motion and/or to its cause
- v. 1
To prompt or incite by a motive or motives; to move.
Related words
- Word family
- motiveless motivity
- Phrases
- motive power motive power depot
- Other spellings
- motif
Choose the right word
Motive is the word originally used in speaking of that which determines the choice.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Example sentences
- purpose What is the main purpose of your studying English?
- principle My father made it a principle to keep early hours.
- motivation He lost completely his motivation to learn Berber.
- incentive We lack an incentive for pursuing the eastern market.
- argument No one could get the better of him in an argument.
- strain Tom has been under a great deal of strain lately.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| motive | steady | |
| purpose | falling | |
| principle | steady | |
| motivation | rising | |
| incentive | falling | |
| argument | steady |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 4 letters
- need1, sake1, urge1, spur1, saki2, goad1
- 5 letters
- cause1, score1, theme1, motor2
- 6 letters
- reason2, design2, ground1, moving2, spring1, mobile2, object2, strain1, prompt1, induce2, incite2, motile2
- 7 letters
- purpose2, dynamic3, impulse2, kinetic3, animate3
- 8 letters
- argument3, stimulus3, motivate3, motional
- 9 letters
- influence3, principle3, incentive3, stimulate3, causative3
- 10 letters
- motivation4, motivating4, incitement3, inducement3, motivative
- 13 letters
- consideration5
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (saki2 = 2 syllables).