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V2 Vocabulary Building Dictionary


motive

noun

Definition: something that produces an action or movement

Synonyms: motivation, reason, cause, justification, stimulus, incentive, inducement

Antonyms:

Tips: The essence of the word motive is "a reason for an action." A motive is anything that induces someone to take some action. We often hear the word motive in criminal court cases. The prosecution must prove that there was a motive (reason) for the crime to have been committed. The related verb motivate means "to cause someone to do something or behave a certain way."

Usage Examples:

The defense attorney will attempt to prove that his client had no motive for committing the murder. (reason, cause)

What do you think his motive is for running for political office? (motivation, reason)

I don't trust her, and I think she has an ulterior motive for being nice to me. (incentive, reason)

Her motives for working with the charity are completely magnanimous. (motivation, reason, cause)


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