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:
— He acted with the best of motives.

synonyms: motivation, need.

Roget 620: intent, intention, intentionality; purpose; quo animo [Lat.]; project etc. 626; undertaking etc. 676; predetermination etc. 611; design, ambition.    contemplation, mind, animus, view, purview, proposal; study; look out.    final cause; raison d'etre [Fr.]; cui bono [Lat.]; object, aim, end; the be all and the end all;" drift etc. (meaning) 516; tendency etc. 176; destination, mark, point, butt, goal, target, bull's-eye, quintain [Mediev.]; prey, quarry, game.    decision, determination, resolve; fixed set purpose, settled purpose; ultimatum; resolution etc. 604; wish etc. 865; arriere pensee [Fr.]; motive etc. 615.    [Study of final causes] teleology.    ... show more

Roget 615: motive, springs of action, wellsprings of action.    reason, ground, call, principle; by end, by purpose; mainspring, primum mobile [Lat.], keystone; the why and the wherefore; pro and con, reason why; secret motive, arriere pensee [Fr.]; intention etc. 620.    inducement, consideration; attraction; loadstone; magnet, magnetism, magnetic force; allectation^†, allective^†; temptation, enticement, agacerie^†, allurement, witchery; bewitchment, bewitchery; charm; spell etc. 993; fascination, blandishment, cajolery; seduction, seducement; honeyed words, voice of the tempter, song of the Sirens forbidden fruit, golden apple.    persuasibility^†, persuasibleness^†; attractability^†; impressibility, susceptibility; softness; persuasiveness, attractiveness; tantalization^†.    influence, prompting, dictate, instance; impulse, impulsion; incitement, incitation; press, instigation; provocation etc. (excitation of feeling) 824; inspiration; persuasion, suasion; encouragement, advocacy; exhortation; advice etc. 695; solicitation etc. (request) 765; lobbyism; pull [Slang].    incentive, stimulus, spur, fillip, whip, goad, ankus^†, rowel, provocative, whet, dram.    bribe, lure; decoy, decoy duck; bait, trail of a red herring; bribery and corruption; sop, sop for Cerberus.    prompter, tempter; seducer, seductor^†; instigator, firebrand, incendiary; Siren, Circe; agent provocateur; lobbyist.    ... show more

A theme that is repeated or elaborated in a piece of music.

synonym: motif.

Dutch: onderwerp, motivatie, motief
Polish: epizod

A design or figure that consists of recurring shapes or colors, as in architecture or decoration.

synonym: motif.

Polish: motyw

Causing or able to cause motion:
— A motive force.
— Motive power.

synonym: motor.

Roget 264: moving etc. v.; in motion; transitional; motory^†, motive; shifting, movable, mobile, mercurial, unquiet; restless etc. (changeable) 149; nomadic etc. 266; erratic etc. 279.    ... show more

Roget 615: impulsive, motive; suasive, suasory^†, persuasive, persuasory^†, hortative, hortatory; protreptical^†; inviting, tempting, etc. v.; suasive, suasory^†; seductive, attractive; fascinating etc. (pleasing) 829; provocative etc. (exciting) 824.    induced etc. v.; disposed; persuadable etc. (docile) 602; spellbound; instinct with, smitten with, infatuated; inspired etc. v.; by.    ... show more

Polish: motorowy

Impelling to action:
— Motive pleas.

synonyms: motivating, motivative.