motive implies an emotion or desire operating on the will and causing it to act.
a motive for the crime
impulse suggests a driving power arising from personal temperament or constitution.
buying on impulse
incentive applies to an external influence (such as an expected reward) inciting to action.
a bonus was offered as an incentive
inducement suggests a motive prompted by the deliberate enticements or allurements of another.
offered a watch as an inducement to subscribe
spur applies to a motive that stimulates the faculties or increases energy or ardor.
fear was a spur to action
goad suggests a motive that keeps one going against one's will or desire.
thought insecurity a goad to worker efficiency
Example Sentences
Noun Their motive in running away was to avoid being punished. I think he's guilty of the crime. He had the motive, the means, and the opportunity. She denied that her offer to help was based on selfish motives.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Despite solving two major pieces of the case, the motive remains a mystery, Joe Montgomery, special agent in charge of the GBI's Region 1 Investigative Office, said Tuesday. Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 7 Sep. 2022 The motive for the shooting remains under investigation, police said.Anchorage Daily News, 7 Sep. 2022 Pan has not entered a plea on the murder charge, and a motive for the killing remains unclear. Danielle Wallace, Fox News, 4 Sep. 2022 The motive for the killing remains a mystery, according to prosecutors. Matt Bruce, ajc, 1 Sep. 2022 The motive for the students’ abduction remains a subject of debate. Maria Verza, USA TODAY, 21 Aug. 2022 While the motive behind Friday's stabbing remains under investigation, New York's governor condemned the attack. Nouran Salahieh, CNN, 15 Aug. 2022 No arrests have been made and police a motive for the shooting remains unclear. Cliff Pinckard, cleveland, 28 July 2022 The motive remains unclear after an armed bystander fatally shot the gunman, police say, in a rare instance of a civilian stopping a mass shooting. James Bikales, Washington Post, 18 July 2022
Adjective
The sheriff's office said that no motive or suspect information has been determined yet, and the investigation continues.Chron, 18 July 2022 Indeed, while there may well be a Chinese connection as far as whoever coded the ransomware software itself is concerned, that doesn't mean the group has any motive other than criminal financial gain. Davey Winder, Forbes, 13 Aug. 2022 Investigators haven't pinpointed motive for the attack. Dennis Romero, NBC News, 31 July 2022 The jury found the prosecution’s claims about Schulte’s motive convincing, Flores said. Patrick Radden Keefe, The New Yorker, 26 July 2022 Waters nor other representatives with the attorney general’s office disclosed any evidence, motive or shared statements. John Monk, al, 20 July 2022 Police said the motive and other circumstances were under investigation. David Hernandez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 July 2022 Prosecutors argued evidence showed Harris had motive to kill his son. Amir Vera, CNN, 22 June 2022 Detectives are seeking to identify a suspect and motive, and a reward is being offered of up to $25,000 for information leading to an arrest and indictment. Nick Anderson, Washington Post, 4 June 2022
Verb
The coming together of both aspects of his game has also led him to become more vocal on the court, both to keep himself motivated and to motive others.oregonlive, 5 Aug. 2020 Defense attorneys tried to get those allegations blocked by the court, but U.S. District Judge Thomas Whelan ruled the allegations were relevant to whether campaign money was spent illegally and spoke to motive and intent.Arkansas Online, 2 Dec. 2019 Police did not immediately offer information as to motive or suspect description. Keri Blakinger, Houston Chronicle, 21 Jan. 2018 Of course, with all reports like this, speculation as to motive for such stories must be questioned. Mark Heim, AL.com, 12 Oct. 2017 My photography is first and foremost a catalyst or reason to motive human action. Olivier Laurent, Time, 30 June 2017 See More
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English, from Anglo-French motif, motive, from motif, adjective, moving, from Medieval Latin motivus, from Latin motus, past participle of movēre to move
Adjective
Middle French or Medieval Latin; Middle French motif, from Medieval Latin motivus