Motive
Motive noun - A major object of interest or concern (as in a discussion or artistic composition).
Usage example: the principal motive of the piece was introduced in the flute section
Purpose is a synonym for motive in reason topic. In some cases you can use "Purpose" instead a noun "Motive", when it comes to topics like subject, aim, objective, consequence.
Mutual synonyms
How words are described
| good | good motive | good purpose |
| clear | clear motive | clear purpose |
| exact | exact motive | exact purpose |
| similar | similar motive | similar purpose |
| Other adjectives: specific, stated, original, true, sinister, obvious, actual, entire, real, little, main, ultimate, new, sole, possible, apparent, secondary, primary, unknown, different. | ||
Both words in one sentence
- In addition, Sense Motive is a class skill for paladins, and if the purpose of the character is to monitor the others, there's no reason for Lodge not to have put every possible rank into it.
- This served the double purpose of giving Khan a motive for vengeance against Kirk and eliminating her character.
Source: Disposable Woman -
Motive Misidentification: When Bowser steals the Music Keys, Toad assumes he's going to use them for some grand, evil purpose like he normally would.
Cite this Source
Purpose and Motive. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/motive/purpose
Motive & Purpose. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/motive/purpose>.
Purpose or Motive. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/motive/purpose.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "motive" and "purpose" have occurred on timeline