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'motive' in a sentence

Learn how to use 'motive' with 10 example sentences.


motive adjective

: causing or able to cause motion

: impelling to action

motive noun

: the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior

: a theme that is repeated or elaborated in a piece of music

: a design or figure that consists of recurring shapes or colors, as in architecture or decoration


  • Jealousy was the motive for the murder.
  • What was his motive for doing it?
  • These days, the motives for marriage are not necessarily pure.
  • Your motive was admirable, but your action was not.
  • As the play develops, the real motives of the protagonist become clear.
  • I can't figure out your motives.
  • She is acting from some selfish motive.
  • I had romantic ulterior motives.
  • Reflect on your own motives when making a decision.
  • Nobody likes to have his true motive doubted.
  • Words related to 'motive'


    Words near 'motive' in the dictionary