Motive - definition, pronunciation, transcription
noun
- a design or figure that consists of recurring shapes or colors, as in architecture or decoration (syn: motif)
adjective
motive power
Extra examples
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.
She had no motive to commit the crime.
The police could not find a motive for the murder.
Water provides the motive power that operates the mill.
The salary was augmented so liberally as to motive his migration.
His malice must be motived in some satisfactory way in the play.
What do you suppose the killer's motive was?
The police believe the motive for this murder was jealousy.
The motives behind the decision remain obscure.
The violence was clearly prompted by political motives.
It's not the kind of thing he'd do unless he had an ulterior motive (=a reason he kept hidden).
Water provided the motive power for the mill.
What is the motive behind the bombing?
Word forms
singular: motive
plural: motives
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