Pronunciation: /ˈmoʊtɪv/
noun a reason for doing something, especially one that is hidden or not obvious
A1 The detective tried to figure out the motive behind the crime.
A2 She couldn't understand his motive for suddenly quitting his job.
B1 The police are investigating the suspect's possible motives for the robbery.
B2 The prosecutor argued that the defendant had a clear motive for committing the murder.
C1 The author's motive for writing the book was to raise awareness about climate change.
C2 The artist's motives for creating such controversial artwork were often misunderstood by critics.
adjective relating to the reason behind someone's actions
A1 The detective tried to figure out the motive behind the crime.
A2 She couldn't understand his motive for behaving so strangely.
B1 The company's motive for expanding its operations is to reach a wider market.
B2 The politician's motive for proposing the new law was questioned by the opposition.
C1 The artist's motive for creating such controversial pieces was to provoke thought and discussion.
C2 The scientist's motive for conducting the experiment was to test a new hypothesis and gather data for analysis.
formal The detective is still trying to determine the motive behind the crime.
informal I can't figure out what his motive was for quitting his job.
slang I have no idea what her motive is for ghosting him.
figurative His motive for helping others is like a guiding light in the darkness.
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