underlying motive

Frequency: 6.28.1 per million words

The real but not obvious reason for something.

motiveADJECTIVE + motive

Categories:

underlying

Examples (10)

  • She was not sure what his underlying motives were.
  • The detective searched for the underlying motive behind the crime.
  • It took a long time to uncover the underlying motive for his strange behavior.
  • What is the underlying motive for their sudden generosity?
  • Critics questioned the underlying motive of the new policy.
  • He claimed his actions were altruistic, but I suspected an underlying motive.
  • Discovering the underlying motive is crucial for understanding the conflict.
  • There might be an underlying motive for their unusual interest in the project.
  • Understanding the underlying motives of consumers is key to successful marketing.
  • Her seemingly kind offer had an underlying motive she tried to conceal.