MOTIVE Synonyms
There are 16 hypernyms of the word motive. (close relations)
Best Alternative Words for MOTIVE
Expand? | Word | Save? | More Syns.. | Usage | Type | |||
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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 | ||||||||