Synonyms:
motive(a), motor
Meaning: causing or able to cause motion; "a motive force"; "motive power"; "motor energy"
noun
meaning of the word
Synonyms:
motivation, motive, need
Meaning: 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; "we did not understand his motivation"; "he acted with the best of motives"
Usage examples
"And your motive--your real motive?" he insisted.
'Sir, I have no motive but to help the helpless.'
Then no motive can be imagined why God should lie?
What was the motive, the incentive that caused it?
'Cut away,' said Fledgeby. 'Start with your motive.'
I wish to state my motive in doing what I have done."
Did you ever tell him the strong, instinctive motive?'
The outer world is to man the sole source of motive forces.
And what motive could any man really have, except his own interest?
This young person can have no possible motive for wishing to see me.