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Definition of motiveless

motiveless

/ˈmoʊ.tɪv.ləs/
mo · tive · less
Adverb:motivelessly
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motiveless Lexical Profile

motiveless Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Having no discernible reason, purpose, or underlying incentive for an action.

Example

"The detectives struggled to solve the case because the vandalism appeared completely motiveless."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

motivationally
motivator
motive
motiveless
motley
motmot
moto

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in English from 'motive' (from Old French 'motif' and Medieval Latin 'motivus', meaning 'moving' or 'impelling') combined with the privative suffix '-less'. The phrase 'motiveless malignity' was famously coined by Samuel Taylor Coleridge in 1813 to describe the character Iago in Shakespeare's 'Othello'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Motiveless. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/motiveless
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