profit motive

noun

: the desire to make a profit
making decisions based on the profit motive

Examples of profit motive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Suggest a hidden profit motive. Katrine Wallace, STAT, 8 May 2026 Getting an assessment from someone who has no profit motive is important. Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026 There is no statutory definition of that phrase, but courts have required a primary profit motive. Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 13 Feb. 2026 Proponents for resale caps argue the only way to stop ticket scalping is to remove the profit motive involved. Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 2 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for profit motive

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Profit motive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/profit%20motive. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!