motives
Why people act
Motives are the reasons behind actions—the desires, needs, or purposes that drive someone to do something.
Police investigate motives for crimes; psychologists explore motives for behavior.
The word often implies hidden or questionable intent: What are his real motives?
She questioned his motives for helping.
A motive can also be a recurring theme in art or music.
Basis or justification
- justificationReason proving rightness
- rationaleStated basis for action
- explanationStatement making something clear
- purposeReason something exists
intent · intention · cause · basis · grounds · logic · objective · aim
Intense wanting
- impulseSudden urge to act
- instinctInnate behavioral tendency
- urgeStrong inner drive
- compulsionIrresistible urge to act
drive · need · fear · anxiety · loneliness · insecurity · attachment · avoidance
Strong desire for achievement
- achievementAccomplished goal or deed
- successFavorable outcome attained
- advancementForward movement or promotion
- recognitionPerceiving something as known
status · power · wealth · career · climbing · ladder · striving · determination
Unlawful taking of property
- robberyTheft through intimidation
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- murderDeliberate unlawful killing
- revengePunishing a wrongdoer
jealousy · greed · blackmail · extortion · embezzlement · kidnapping · burglary · homicide
Prioritizing others' wellbeing
- conscienceInternal moral sense
- dutyRequired moral task
- moralityRight and wrong principles
- integrityMoral soundness and consistency
justice · fairness · righteousness · virtue · compassion · responsibility · honor · principle
Central recurring concept
- leitmotifRecurring thematic phrase
- patternRecurring arrangement or template
- recurrenceReturn of something previous
- symbolismRepresenting concepts through images
imagery · design · ornament · decoration · emblem · allegory · representation · composition
reason
Basis or justification
- justificationReason proving rightness
- rationaleStated basis for action
- explanationStatement making something clear
purpose · intent · intention · cause · basis · grounds · logic · objective · aim · goal
desire
Intense wanting
compulsion · drive · need · fear · anxiety · loneliness · insecurity · attachment · avoidance · gratification
aspiration
Strong desire for achievement
- achievementAccomplished goal or deed
- successFavorable outcome attained
- advancementForward movement or promotion
recognition · status · power · wealth · career · climbing · ladder · striving · determination · excellence
theft
Unlawful taking of property
- robberyTheft through intimidation
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- murderDeliberate unlawful killing
revenge · jealousy · greed · blackmail · extortion · embezzlement · kidnapping · burglary · homicide · smuggling
altruism
Prioritizing others' wellbeing
- conscienceInternal moral sense
- dutyRequired moral task
- moralityRight and wrong principles
integrity · justice · fairness · righteousness · virtue · compassion · responsibility · honor · principle · benevolence
theme
Central recurring concept
- leitmotifRecurring thematic phrase
- patternRecurring arrangement or template
- recurrenceReturn of something previous
symbolism · imagery · design · ornament · decoration · emblem · allegory · representation · composition · narrative
- intentionsgoals, aims, I will, purposes, I want
- sleuthingclues, detective work, evidence gathering, fingerprints, footprints
- hidden thingssecrets, agendas, subtext, undercurrents, backstory
- algebraic geometryvariety, varieties, scheme, schemes, divisor
- Ethics Termsmoral reasoning, moral philosophy, meta-ethics, casuistry, teleology
- moral psychologymoral reasoning, moral judgment, moral development, moral intuition, conscience
motivesdeterrents
Things discouraging certain actions
disincentives · hindrances · obstacles · impediments · discouragements
motivesconsequences
Results of actions taken
results · outcomes · effects · repercussions · aftermath
- ulterior motiveConcealed purpose behind behavior
- hidden motivesUndisclosed reasons for action
- motivational speakerOne who delivers uplifting addresses
- motivational quotesEncouraging phrases for drive
- motivational speechesAddresses meant to inspire
- motivational speechAddress meant to inspire
motive, motivation, motivate, motivated, motivating, motivator, unmotivated, motivational, motivates