motive implies an emotion or desire operating on the will and causing it to act. impulse suggests a driving power arising from personal temperament or constitution. incentive applies to an …

The idea, they said, was to make sure every character was backed by human motives, even if the audience wouldn't automatically sympathize with them.

Definition of motive noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

...the motives and objectives of British foreign policy. The doctor's motive was to bring an end to his patient's suffering.

Motive is, literally, something that moves a person; an inducement, something that leads a person on; an incentive, something that inspires a person.

• Motivation means that you have a good motive for action. • But it was not the Crown's invariable motive for summoning a Parliament. • If a national asylum were provided there would be no …

Dec 14, 2025 · (law) Something which causes someone to want to commit a crime; a reason for criminal behaviour. [from 18th c.] quotations What would his motive be for burning down the …

Motive is, literally, something that moves a person; an inducement, something that leads a person on; an incentive, something that inspires a person.

He had the motive, the means, and the opportunity. She denied that her offer to help was based on selfish motives. No one knows the main/real/underlying motive for his behavior.

Think of motive as the thing that moves you to act. You often hear of motive in the context of crime––a suspect’s fingerprints may be on the murder weapon, but a detective won’t …