motive as a noun: 1 2 3 1 2
motive motivation need psychological feature life rational motive irrational motive impulse urge ethical motive ethics morality morals mental energy psychic energy jump to corresponding sense entry
motive noun
1 motive 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 .
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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 .
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2 motive A theme that is repeated or elaborated in a piece of music.
synonym: motif .
Dutch: onderwerp, motivatie, motief Polish: epizod
3 motive A design or figure that consists of recurring shapes or colors, as in architecture or decoration.
synonym: motif .
Polish: motyw
adjective
1 motive Causing or able to cause motion:— A motive force.
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 .
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Polish: motorowy
2 motive Moby thesaurus: activating , active , actuating , aim , ambition , angle , animating , animus , antecedent , argument , aspiration , attraction , basis , burden , case , causal , causative , cause , chapter , compelling , concern , consideration , counsel , desideration , desideratum , design , desire , determinant , determination , device , directive , driving , effect , emotion , end , enticement , essence , feeling , figure , fixed purpose , focus of attention , focus of interest , function , gist , goad , goal , grounds , head , heading , idea , impellent , impelling , impulsive , in motion , incentive , incitement , inducement , inducive , influence , intendment , intent , intention , issue , kinetic , leitmotiv , living issue , lure , main point , matter , matter in hand , meaning , meat , mind , mobile , motif , motile , motivating , motivating force , motivation , motivational , motor , moving , nisus , object , objective , operative , passion , pattern , phrase , plan , point , point at issue , point in question , pressing , problem , prod , project , propellant , propelling , proposal , propulsive , propulsory , prospectus , pulsive , purpose , pushing , question , rationale , reason , resolution , resolve , rubric , sake , shoving , spring , spur , stimulation , stimulus , stirring , striving , study , subject , subject matter , subject of thought , substance , text , theme , thrusting , topic , transitional , traveling , urge , urgent , view , will ... show more .
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