MOTIVES Synonyms: 148 Similar and Opposite Words

motives 1 of 2

noun

plural of motive

as in matters

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in motifs

a unit of decoration that is repeated all over something (as a fabric) decorated with a paisley motive

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as in reasons

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

motives

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of motive

as in motivates

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Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of motives

Noun

In the end, these conversations, and his own meditations on identity and family, as well as his noted narrative omissions and motives in telling the story, become the main thrust of the podcast. — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026 That’s a question for next season, but their flirtation has been built around Sid’s ambiguous motives from the beginning. — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026 Officials, developers and their architects and engineers have either declined to comment or questioned the researchers’ motives while assuring the public that the buildings are safe. — Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026 While some are staunchly pro-Clarkson in the debate that has since taken over the internet, others have questioned the singer’s motives for calling out the small business across her social media accounts. — Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026 Over the decades, the motives for ending public executions and moving them into prisons have varied – frequently separate from debates over capital punishment. — The Monitor's Editorial Board, Christian Science Monitor, 14 Oct. 2026 But boycotts are generally scrutinized when they are pursued for economic motives, Baer said, while speech is a different matter. — Miriam Waldvogel, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026 The motives and genres are changing, but the tech-founder movies and TV shows continue apace. — Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 With the unanswered questions around Adelaide’s motives, some have compared her to a Professor X of the Stephen King onscreen universe, while awaiting answers in a potential Season 2. — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for motives

Noun

Beyond criminal matters, the office is involved in other efforts.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
The Sun enters your 12th House, drawing your attention toward rest, reflection, privacy, unfinished matters, and everything easier to hear when the outside world becomes less demanding.

— Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of matters

Noun

Drawing upon classic English country house motifs, her own family memories, and the blazing colors of New England fall, the star designer has conjured a series of instant heirlooms.

— Sam Cochran, Architectural Digest, 27 Oct. 2026
Swirling green paisley-likefloral motifs decorated the beige-gold fabric, with patches of rusty orange and deeper green throughout.

— Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of motifs

Noun

Experts studying fear have theorized that one of the major reasons people are flocking to horror experiences lately — whether theme parks, novels or movies — is that the world feels so uncertain.

— Ayesha Rascoe, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026
But the offensive line has turned out to be TCU’s biggest weakness this season and one of the primary reasons the program sits at 3-4 (1-3 Big 12).

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of reasons

Noun

Notably, this is the first book in the TOG series to drop the YA approach for more adult themes.

— Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 24 Oct. 2026
So many themes related to the Tylenol poisonings seemed to emerge as Cooper investigated Betkowski’s life, but no direct evidence materialized to link him to the crime or place him in Chicago during the time of the poisonings.

— Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of themes

Noun

The cost figures draw on the Family Budget Calculator developed by the left-leaning Economic Policy Institute from federal data on rents, food costs and consumer spending, with The Post’s own health care estimates.

— Amy L. Wong, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
Another star turn goes to Mary Ellen Pleasant, who was arguably America’s first Black millionaire and inarguably one of the most canny and chameleonlike figures this country has ever produced.

— Kathryn Schulz, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of figures

Noun

To be sure, the question asking voters to name their top concerns lists several economy- and cost-related topics separately, subdividing an issue that might otherwise rank higher if lumped into a single category.

— Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
Review its memory settings and connected accounts before discussing highly sensitive topics.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of topics

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motived

motives

motiving

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Style

“Motives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motives. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of motives

noun

verb

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