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motives

  • plural
    of motive.
    motive
    noun
    something that causes a person to act in a certain way, do a certain thing, etc.; incentive.
  • present tense form
    of motive (3rd person singular).
    motive
    noun
    something that causes a person to act in a certain way, do a certain thing, etc.; incentive.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

The Emirati probe will look at all possible motives for the pilot assault in the Israel-bound plane’s cockpit.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026

There are roughly a dozen distinct motives for keeping things, Ekerdt said, and they break down into two broad camps: things that are useful and things that are symbolic.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 29, 2026

A police investigation into the attacker's motives is now under way.

From BBC ● Sep. 24, 2026

I’m interested in people’s motives behind storytelling and what’s in, what’s cool, what’s hot, what has currency, and what are the intentions of the people telling those stories?

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 15, 2026

Your studies of the interplay of human motives and emotions”—his mighty hand gestured vaguely as he sought the proper words.

From "I, Robot" by Isaac Asimov