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motive

mo·tive

motive

 
 
pronunciation:
mo tihv
parts of speech:
noun, adjective
features:
Word Combinations (noun), Word Parts
part of speech: noun
definition: an idea, need, desire, or impulse that causes a person to act in a particular way or do a particular thing; reason.
No one could understand the woman's motives for making such a drastic change to her will.The neighbor was the prime suspect in the murder, and yet the police could not ascertain any motive for the crime.
 
synonyms:
incentive, inspiration, motivation, purpose, reason
similar words:
aim, intent, intention, objective, stimulus
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
 
part of speech: adjective
definition: causing or pertaining to motion.
motive power
synonyms:
kinetic
similar words:
active, dynamic, mobile, moving, operative
Word PartsSubscriber feature About this feature