Motive — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun adjective verb /ˈmō-tiv/ mo·tive

Meaning & Definition of Motive

Motive (noun)

  1. something (such as a need or desire) that causes a person to act —often used with for
  2. a recurrent phrase or figure that is developed through the course of a musical composition
  3. motif

Motive (adjective)

  1. of or relating to motion or the causing of motion
  2. moving or tending to move to action

Motive (verb)

  1. motivate

Motive (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a major object of interest or concern (as in a discussion or artistic composition)

    "the principal motive of the piece was introduced in the flute section"

    similar: content, matter, motif, question, subject, theme, topic
    related: subject matter, talking point, count, idea, point, purpose, consideration, issue, problem, body, bulk, burden, centerpiece, core, crux, essence, fundamental, generality, gist, grist, heart, kernel, keynote, main, marrow, mass, net, nub, nubbin, nucleus, pith, pivot, purport, quick, staple, substance, sum, basis, bottom, essential, essentiality, affair, argument, debate
    near: aside, digression, excursion, interjection, parenthesis, tangent

  2. a unit of decoration that is repeated all over something (as a fabric)

    "decorated with a paisley motive"

    similar: design, figure, motif, pattern
    related: scheme, device, adornment, caparison, decoration, embellishment, frill, garnish, ornament, trim

  3. something (as a belief) that serves as the basis for another thing

    "the detective felt that the first suspect didn't have any motive for committing the crime"

    similar: account, authority, grounds, reason, subject, wherefore, why
    related: antecedent, cause, consideration, impetus, incentive, inspiration, instigation, occasion, stimulus

Motive (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in inspire, motivate

    similar: activate, animate, drive, energize, galvanize, induce, inspire, key (up), motivate, pump up, quicken, set off, vitalize, fan, ignite, inflame, kindle, trigger, abet, ferment, foment, raise, whip (up), arouse, encourage, excite, fire (up), impassion, incite, instigate, move, pique, provoke, rev (up), spark, stimulate, stir, anger, enrage, madden, upset, jeer, taunt, tease, aggravate, annoy, bother, exasperate, gall, get, irritate, vex
    opposite: calm, soothe, subdue, tranquilize, appease, mollify, pacify, placate

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Motive

The most common words with a similar meaning to Motive:

content, matter, motif, question, subject, theme, topic, design, figure, pattern, account, authority, grounds, reason, wherefore, why, activate, animate, drive, energize, galvanize, induce, inspire, key (up), motivate, pump up, quicken, set off, vitalize, fan, ignite, inflame, kindle, trigger, abet, ferment, foment, raise, whip (up), arouse

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Motive

Words with the opposite meaning of Motive:

calm, soothe, subdue, tranquilize, appease, mollify, pacify, placate

Related Words for Motive

subject matter, talking point, count, idea, point, purpose, consideration, issue, problem, body, bulk, burden, centerpiece, core, crux, essence, fundamental, generality, gist, grist, heart, kernel, keynote, main, marrow, mass, net, nub, nubbin, nucleus

Near Antonyms of Motive

aside, digression, excursion, interjection, parenthesis, tangent

Word Forms of Motive

Inflections: motived, motiving

Derived words: motiveless (adjective), motivelessly (adverb), motivic (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Motive

Middle English, from Anglo-French motif, motive, from motif, adjective, moving, from Medieval Latin motivus, from Latin motus, past participle of movēre to move

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Motive

Words & Phrases Containing Motive

motive power, profit motive, ulterior motive

Frequently Asked Questions about Motive

What does "Motive" mean?

"Motive" means something (such as a need or desire) that causes a person to act —often used with for. As an a noun, an adjective and a verb, it is defined as: something (such as a need or desire) that causes a person to act —often used with for. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Motive"?

Other words for "Motive" include content, matter, motif, question, subject, theme, topic and design. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Motive" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Motive"?

There are 130 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Motive". Common alternatives include content, matter, motif, question, subject, theme, topic, design, figure and pattern.

What is the opposite of "Motive"?

Antonyms of "Motive" include calm, soothe, subdue, tranquilize, appease, mollify, pacify and placate. Near antonyms include aside, digression, excursion and interjection.

How do you use "Motive" in a sentence?

Examples of "Motive" in a sentence: "the principal motive of the piece was introduced in the flute section"; "decorated with a paisley motive"; "the detective felt that the first suspect didn't have any motive for committing the crime".

Is "Motive" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Motive" can be used as a noun, an adjective and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Motive" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Motive" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Motive"?

"Motive" is pronounced /ˈmō-tiv/ and divided into syllables as mo·tive.