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单词 motives
释义

motive

1 of 3

noun

mo·​tive ˈmō-tiv How to pronounce motive (audio)
sense 2 is also
mō-ˈtēv How to pronounce motive (audio)
1
: something (such as a need or desire) that causes a person to act
Revenge was the murderer's motive.
2
: a recurrent phrase or figure that is developed through the course of a musical composition
3
: motif
the composition's recurring flute motive
motiveless
ˈmō-tiv-ləs How to pronounce motive (audio)
adjective
motivelessly adverb
motivic
mō-ˈtē-vik How to pronounce motive (audio)
adjective

motive

2 of 3

adjective

mo·​tive ˈmō-tiv How to pronounce motive (audio)
1
: of or relating to motion or the causing of motion
motive energy
2
: moving or tending to move to action

motive

3 of 3

verb

mo·​tive ˈmō-tiv How to pronounce motive (audio)
motived; motiving

transitive verb

: motivate

Synonyms

Noun

  • content
  • matter
  • motif
  • question
  • subject
  • theme
  • topic
See all Synonyms & Antonyms

Example Sentences

Noun Their motive in running away was to avoid being punished. I think he's guilty of the crime. He had the motive, the means, and the opportunity. She denied that her offer to help was based on selfish motives.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Despite solving two major pieces of the case, the motive remains a mystery, Joe Montgomery, special agent in charge of the GBI's Region 1 Investigative Office, said Tuesday. Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 7 Sep. 2022 The motive for the shooting remains under investigation, police said. Anchorage Daily News, 7 Sep. 2022 Pan has not entered a plea on the murder charge, and a motive for the killing remains unclear. Danielle Wallace, Fox News, 4 Sep. 2022 The motive for the killing remains a mystery, according to prosecutors. Matt Bruce, ajc, 1 Sep. 2022 The motive for the students’ abduction remains a subject of debate. Maria Verza, USA TODAY, 21 Aug. 2022 While the motive behind Friday's stabbing remains under investigation, New York's governor condemned the attack. Nouran Salahieh, CNN, 15 Aug. 2022 No arrests have been made and police a motive for the shooting remains unclear. Cliff Pinckard, cleveland, 28 July 2022 The motive remains unclear after an armed bystander fatally shot the gunman, police say, in a rare instance of a civilian stopping a mass shooting. James Bikales, Washington Post, 18 July 2022
Adjective
The sheriff's office said that no motive or suspect information has been determined yet, and the investigation continues. Chron, 18 July 2022 Indeed, while there may well be a Chinese connection as far as whoever coded the ransomware software itself is concerned, that doesn't mean the group has any motive other than criminal financial gain. Davey Winder, Forbes, 13 Aug. 2022 Investigators haven't pinpointed motive for the attack. Dennis Romero, NBC News, 31 July 2022 The jury found the prosecution’s claims about Schulte’s motive convincing, Flores said. Patrick Radden Keefe, The New Yorker, 26 July 2022 Waters nor other representatives with the attorney general’s office disclosed any evidence, motive or shared statements. John Monk, al, 20 July 2022 Police said the motive and other circumstances were under investigation. David Hernandez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 July 2022 Prosecutors argued evidence showed Harris had motive to kill his son. Amir Vera, CNN, 22 June 2022 Detectives are seeking to identify a suspect and motive, and a reward is being offered of up to $25,000 for information leading to an arrest and indictment. Nick Anderson, Washington Post, 4 June 2022
Verb
The coming together of both aspects of his game has also led him to become more vocal on the court, both to keep himself motivated and to motive others. oregonlive, 5 Aug. 2020 Defense attorneys tried to get those allegations blocked by the court, but U.S. District Judge Thomas Whelan ruled the allegations were relevant to whether campaign money was spent illegally and spoke to motive and intent. Arkansas Online, 2 Dec. 2019 Police did not immediately offer information as to motive or suspect description. Keri Blakinger, Houston Chronicle, 21 Jan. 2018 Of course, with all reports like this, speculation as to motive for such stories must be questioned. Mark Heim, AL.com, 12 Oct. 2017 My photography is first and foremost a catalyst or reason to motive human action. Olivier Laurent, Time, 30 June 2017 See More

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French motif, motive, from motif, adjective, moving, from Medieval Latin motivus, from Latin motus, past participle of movēre to move

Adjective

Middle French or Medieval Latin; Middle French motif, from Medieval Latin motivus

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1657, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

motive 1 of 2

noun

mo·​tive ˈmō-tiv How to pronounce motive (audio)
: a reason for doing something

motive

2 of 2

adjective

: causing motion
motive power

Medical Definition

motive

noun

mo·​tive ˈmōt-iv How to pronounce motive (audio)
: something (as a need or desire) that causes a person to act

Legal Definition

motive

noun

mo·​tive
: something (as a need or desire) that causes a person to act

Note: Motive is distinguished from intent or mens rea. Although motive is not an element of a crime, evidence of motive can be introduced to help establish intent.

History and Etymology for motive

Anglo-French motif, from Middle French motif adjective, moving, from Medieval Latin motivus, from Latin motus, past participle of movēre to move

motives 1 of 2

noun

plural of motive
1
as in themes
a major object of interest or concern (as in a discussion or artistic composition) the principal motive of the piece was introduced in the flute section

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
  • themes
  • matters
  • topics
  • motifs
  • questions
  • subjects
  • contents
  • ideas
  • essences
  • purposes
  • issues
  • considerations
  • problems
  • hearts
  • substances
  • subject matters
  • masses
  • fundamentals
  • counts
  • bodies
  • arguments
  • cores
  • bases
  • talking points
  • points
  • affairs
  • generalities
  • burdens
  • mains
  • pivots
  • staples
  • gists
  • sums
  • essentials
  • purports
  • bulks
  • kernels
  • nuclei
  • debates
  • centerpieces
  • nets
  • piths
  • essentialities
  • keynotes
  • marrows
  • grists
  • cruxes
  • nubs
  • nucleuses
  • bottoms
  • cruces
  • nubbins
  • quicks

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

  • digressions
  • tangents
  • excursions
  • parentheses
  • asides
  • interjections
2
as in motifs
a unit of decoration that is repeated all over something (as a fabric) decorated with a paisley motive

Synonyms & Similar Words

  • motifs
  • figures
  • patterns
  • designs
  • decorations
  • ornaments
  • schemes
  • adornments
  • devices
  • embellishments
  • trims
  • garnishes
  • caparisons
  • frills
3
as in reasons
something (as a belief) that serves as the basis for another thing the detective felt that the first suspect didn't have any motive for committing the crime

Synonyms & Similar Words

  • reasons
  • subjects
  • grounds
  • considerations
  • causes
  • antecedents
  • whys
  • authorities
  • incentives
  • impetuses
  • accounts
  • wherefores
  • inspirations
  • instigations
  • stimuli
  • occasions

motives

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of motive
as in motivates

Synonyms & Similar Words

  • motivates
  • inspires
  • animates
  • drives
  • fans
  • triggers
  • sets off
  • energizes
  • vitalizes
  • galvanizes
  • activates
  • induces
  • inflames
  • pumps up
  • quickens
  • impassions
  • arouses
  • ignites
  • kindles
  • enflames
  • foments
  • ferments
  • provokes
  • incites
  • sparks
  • angers
  • keys (up)
  • encourages
  • piques
  • stimulates
  • abets
  • excites
  • moves
  • stirs
  • instigates
  • upsets
  • taunts
  • maddens
  • raises
  • enrages
  • jeers
  • whips (up)
  • teases
  • exasperates
  • vexes
  • bothers
  • irritates
  • aggravates
  • fires (up)
  • annoys
  • galls
  • revs (up)
  • gets

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

  • soothes
  • subdues
  • calms
  • tranquilizes
  • appeases
  • mollifies
  • placates
  • tranquillizes
  • pacifies
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更新时间:2024/9/20 14:35:47