Antonyms for motive

Grammar : Noun

Spell : moh-tiv

Phonetic Transcription : ˈmoʊ tɪv

Definition of motive

Origin : mid-14c., "something brought forward," from Old French motif "will, drive, motivation," noun use of adjective, literally "moving," from Medieval Latin motivus "moving, impelling," from Latin motus "a moving, motion," past participle of movere "to move" (see move (v.)). Meaning "that which inwardly moves a person to behave a certain way" is from early 15c.

noun reason, purpose

Example sentences :

What other motive they can have, is to us, at least, inconceivable.
Extract from : « Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. 327 » by Various

One can only motive and explain this suicide by self-immolating love.
Extract from : « The Man Shakespeare » by Frank Harris

It is a fault in art because it is impossible to motive it in a few lines.
Extract from : « The Man Shakespeare » by Frank Harris

Filial devotion to her father had been one motive, but not the only one.
Extract from : « Thoroughbreds » by W. A. Fraser

In addition to this motive he felt an inclination to probe the matter to its utmost depths.
Extract from : « Thoroughbreds » by W. A. Fraser

They could not understand the motive, and feared a stratagem.
Extract from : « The Story of the Malakand Field Force » by Sir Winston S. Churchill

My every action, word, thought, had my feeling for Rima as a motive.
Extract from : « Green Mansions » by W. H. Hudson

I will not deny that I was a ringleader in this affair, though I know I had no other motive than escape.
Extract from : « Ned Myers » by James Fenimore Cooper

But let me give you the motive, and then the action will follow of course.
Extract from : « Clarissa, Volume 2 (of 9) » by Samuel Richardson

Whatever the motive for his masquerade, it was not to attract anything feminine.
Extract from : « It Happened in Egypt » by C. N. Williamson

Synonyms for motive

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019