motive - Similar and Opposite Words

What is another word for motive ?

Here are the synonyms for motive , a list of similar words for motive from our thesaurus that you can use

Noun

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

Synonyms

• motivation
• motive
• need

More generic

• psychological feature

More specific

• ethical motive
• ethics
• impulse
• irrational motive
• life
• mental energy
• morality
• morals
• psychic energy
• rational motive
• urge

Noun

a design or figure that consists of recurring shapes or colors, as in architecture or decoration

Synonyms

• motif
• motive

More generic

• design
• figure
• pattern

Noun

a theme that is repeated or elaborated in a piece of music

Synonyms

• motif
• motive

More generic

• idea
• melodic theme
• musical theme
• theme

More specific

• obbligato
• obligato

Adjective

impelling to action

Synonyms

• motivating
• motivative
• motive

Related

• causative

Adjective

causing or able to cause motion

Synonyms

• motive
• motor

Related

• causative

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