Motive
Motive noun - Something (as a belief) that serves as the basis for another thing.
Usage example: the detective felt that the first suspect didn't have any motive for committing the crime
Reason is a synonym for motive in purpose topic. In some cases you can use "Reason" instead a noun "Motive", when it comes to topics like subject, basis, aim, excuse. popular alternative
Reason
Reason noun - Something (as a belief) that serves as the basis for another thing.
Usage example: a firm belief that we are here on earth to help others is the reason for her tireless volunteer work
Motive is a synonym for reason in cause topic. You can use "Motive" instead a noun "Reason", if it concerns topics such as intention, purpose, subject, basis. popular alternative
Mutual synonyms
How words are described
| good | good motive | good reason |
| clear | clear motive | clear reason |
| exact | exact motive | exact reason |
| particular | particular motive | particular reason |
| Other adjectives: stated, true, likely, obvious, simple, logical, actual, entire, real, big, little, main, major, sole, possible, apparent, primary, discernible, unknown, different. | ||
Both words in one sentence
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Axel kills people constantly for no reason, and if he's looking at you you'd better hope it's no reason, 'cause he gets brutal when he has actual motive beyond "likes killing things".
Source: Heroic Comedic Sociopath - 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.
- Motive Decay: Max's backstory and reason for falling in love with Minoo is adapted out.
Source: Literature / The Circle
Cite this Source
Reason and Motive. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/motive/reason
Motive & Reason. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/motive/reason>.
Reason or Motive. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/motive/reason.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "motive" and "reason" have occurred on timeline