1
as in theme
a major object of interest or concern (as in a discussion or artistic composition)
the motif of mute figures standing in lonely isolation is a recurrent one in the artist's works
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of motif
This year’s design is a soft, baby blue gown — paying homage to the color of the island’s original 1895 flag— embroidered with subtle motifs, including yellow taxi cabs, the Brooklyn bridge and the Puerto Rico’s national flower, the flor de maga.
—
CNN Money, 15 June 2026
Scallops have become one of decorating's most enduring motifs, and this wastebasket embraces them wholeheartedly.
—Jaha Nailah Avery, Architectural Digest, 15 June 2026
Styled in a flowy yet body-hugging mini dress and finished with zebra-print gloves, this guest turns a classic motif into a full-on moment.
—Amanda Le, InStyle, 14 June 2026
Animal footprints in the sand might become a motif repeated across a body of work.
—Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for motif
CNN Money, 15 June 2026
Scallops have become one of decorating's most enduring motifs, and this wastebasket embraces them wholeheartedly.
—Jaha Nailah Avery, Architectural Digest, 15 June 2026
Styled in a flowy yet body-hugging mini dress and finished with zebra-print gloves, this guest turns a classic motif into a full-on moment.
—Amanda Le, InStyle, 14 June 2026
Animal footprints in the sand might become a motif repeated across a body of work.
—Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for motif
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motif
Noun
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The teams have to write out their mixtape lists on a dry-erase board styled like a cassette, with the night shift guessing the day shift’s themes based on their song titles.—
Tasha Robinson,
Vulture,
16 June 2026
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Various of their theme weeks and packages (especially, Summer or Winter Discovery) are highly recommended and sought after for this same reason.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 June 2026
Noun
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As its name suggests, atom lithography does away with light altogether and instead uses physical matter—atoms—to print tiny patterns onto silicon chips.—
Rob Toews,
Forbes.com,
22 June 2026
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Watts teaches clients how to fish, respect the lake, to understand seasons, patterns and the importance of stewardship.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 June 2026
Noun
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In recent months, Google DeepMind, Meta and Anthropic have begun to hire experts in psychology, philosophy and ethics in order to research the topics of machine consciousness and AI welfare.—
Rob Toews,
Forbes.com,
22 June 2026
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Green said data centers could be a hot topic in upcoming elections, as Americans on both sides of the aisle are expressing valid concerns.—
Katie King,
Los Angeles Times,
21 June 2026
Noun
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The national debate will keep arguing about which ERPO design is philosophically correct.—
Christopher Carita,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 June 2026
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Engineers still need to examine the bridge design, inspection history, traffic loads, weather, material condition and measurement uncertainty before deciding whether to repair, restrict traffic or close a bridge.—
Alex Krasnok,
Fortune,
21 June 2026
Noun
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In a statement texted to the Star-Telegram before the phone call, Parker’s spokesperson said the mayor stressed that neither her husband’s firm nor his profession has any bearing on her decisions regarding matters before the City Council.—
Harrison Mantas,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
18 June 2026
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And while the White House got to work immediately on the Knicks visiting, the Seahawks visit is apparently another matter.—
Armando Salguero OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
18 June 2026
Noun
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Los Angeles police Friday released bodycam footage of an officer killing a woman’s pet dog in a case that has sparked outrage and questions.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
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The report comes as the rupiah sits at a record low versus the dollar, with questions about the country’s fiscal health rampant and trouble with capital outflows.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Motif.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motif. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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