appeal to motive

noun

A form of an ad hominem attack consisting of questioning someone's motives to dismiss their claim.

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Meanings

nounappeal to motive (plural appeals to motive)

plural appeals to motive

  1. human sciencesA form of an ad hominem attack consisting of questioning someone's motives to dismiss their claim.
Cite this entry
APA

appeal to motive. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/appeal%20to%20motive

MLA

“appeal to motive.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/appeal%20to%20motive. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “appeal to motive,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/appeal%20to%20motive.

Source: appeal to motive on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.