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MOTIVE Synonyms

There are 27 synonyms of the word motive. (exact relations)
There are 16 hypernyms of the word motive. (close relations)

Best Alternative Words for MOTIVE

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aim
verb, noun, adjectivev, n, adj
noun

• an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

• the goal intended to be attained (and which is believed to be attainable)

• the action of directing something at an object

• the direction or path along which something moves or along which it lies

verb

• point or cause to go (blows, weapons, or objects such as photographic equipment) towards

• propose or intend

• move into a desired direction of discourse

• specifically design a product, event, or activity for a certain public

• intend (something) to move towards a certain goal

• direct (a remark) toward an intended goal

• have an ambitious plan or a lofty goal

catalyst
nounn
noun

• (chemistry) a substance that initiates or accelerates a chemical reaction without itself being affected

• something that causes an important event to happen

cause
verb, nounv, n
noun

• events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something

• a justification for something existing or happening

• a series of actions advancing a principle or tending toward a particular end

• any entity that produces an effect or is responsible for events or results

• a comprehensive term for any proceeding in a court of law whereby an individual seeks a legal remedy

verb

• give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally

• cause to do; cause to act in a specified manner

determinant
noun, adjectiven, adj
noun

• a determining or causal element or factor

• the site on the surface of an antigen molecule to which an antibody attaches itself

• a square matrix used to solve simultaneous equations

adjective satellite

• having the power or quality of deciding

drive
verb, nounv, n
noun

• the act of applying force to propel something

• a mechanism by which force or power is transmitted in a machine

• a series of actions advancing a principle or tending toward a particular end

• a road leading up to a private house

• the trait of being highly motivated

• hitting a golf ball off of a tee with a driver

• the act of driving a herd of animals overland

• a journey in a vehicle (usually an automobile)

• a physiological state corresponding to a strong need or desire

• (computer science) a device that writes data onto or reads data from a storage medium

• a wide scenic road planted with trees

• (sports) a hard straight return (as in tennis or squash)

verb

• operate or control a vehicle

• travel or be transported in a vehicle

• cause someone or something to move by driving

• force into or from an action or state, either physically or metaphorically

• to compel or force or urge relentlessly or exert coercive pressure on, or motivate strongly

• cause to move back by force or influence

• compel somebody to do something, often against his own will or judgment

• push, propel, or press with force

• cause to move rapidly by striking or throwing with force

• strive and make an effort to reach a goal

• move into a desired direction of discourse

• have certain properties when driven

• work as a driver

• move by being propelled by a force

• urge forward

• proceed along in a vehicle

• strike with a driver, as in teeing off

• hit very hard, as by swinging a bat horizontally

• excavate horizontally

• cause to function by supplying the force or power for or by controlling

• (hunting) search for game

• (hunting) chase from cover into more open ground

factor
verb, nounv, n
noun

• anything that contributes causally to a result

• an abstract part of something

• one of two or more integers that can be exactly divided into another integer

• a businessman who buys or sells for another in exchange for a commission

• any of the numbers (or symbols) that form a product when multiplied together

• an independent variable in statistics

• (genetics) a segment of DNA that is involved in producing a polypeptide chain; it can include regions preceding and following the coding DNA as well as introns between the exons; it is considered a unit of heredity

verb

• resolve into factors

• be a contributing factor

• consider as relevant when making a decision

goal
verb, nounv, n
noun

• the state of affairs that a plan is intended to achieve and that (when achieved) terminates behavior intended to achieve it

• the place designated as the end (as of a race or journey)

• game equipment consisting of the place toward which players of a game try to advance a ball or puck in order to score points

• a successful attempt at scoring

impetus
nounn
noun

• a force that moves something along

• the act of applying force suddenly

impulse
nounn
noun

• an instinctive motive

• a sudden desire

• the electrical discharge that travels along a nerve fiber

• (electronics) a sharp transient wave in the normal electrical state (or a series of such transients)

• the act of applying force suddenly

• an impelling force or strength

incentive
nounn
noun

• a positive motivational influence

• an additional payment (or other remuneration) to employees as a means of increasing output

inducement
nounn
noun

• a positive motivational influence

• act of bringing about a desired result

intention
nounn
noun

• an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

• (usually plural) the goal with respect to a marriage proposal

• an act of intending; a volition that you intend to carry out

objective
noun, adjectiven, adj
adjective

• undistorted by emotion or personal bias; based on observable phenomena

• serving as or indicating the object of a verb or of certain prepositions and used for certain other purposes

noun

• the goal intended to be attained (and which is believed to be attainable)

• the lens or system of lenses in a telescope or microscope that is nearest the object being viewed

adjective satellite

• emphasizing or expressing things as perceived without distortion of personal feelings or interpretation

• belonging to immediate experience of actual things or events

provocation
nounn
noun

• unfriendly behavior that causes anger or resentment

• something that incites or provokes; a means of arousing or stirring to action

• needed encouragement

purpose
nounn
noun

• an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

• what something is used for

• the quality of being determined to do or achieve something; firmness of purpose

verb

• propose or intend

• reach a decision

reason
nounn
noun

• a rational motive for a belief or action

• an explanation of the cause of some phenomenon

• the capacity for rational thought or inference or discrimination

• the state of having good sense and sound judgment

• a justification for something existing or happening

• a fact that logically justifies some premise or conclusion

verb

• decide by reasoning; draw or come to a conclusion

• present reasons and arguments

• think logically

spur
verb, nounv, n
noun

• a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something

• any sharply pointed projection

• tubular extension at the base of the corolla in some flowers

• a sharp prod fixed to a rider's heel and used to urge a horse onward

• a railway line connected to a trunk line

verb

• incite or stimulate

• give heart or courage to

• strike with a spur

• goad with spurs

• equip with spurs

stimulus
nounn
noun

• any stimulating information or event; acts to arouse action

motif
nounn
noun

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

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

• a unifying idea that is a recurrent element in literary or artistic work

motivation
nounn
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

• the condition of being motivated

• the act of motivating; providing incentive

Best Hypernyms For MOTIVE

Here is a list of related hypernyms for motive, these are close relations that fall within the same topic. Most relevant words are highlighted and in order.
Words (13)
cause design explanation figure goal idea intent justification objective pattern purpose reason theme
Phrases (3)
melodic thememusical themepsychological feature

Alternatives for AIM

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