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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of motif
The American watchmaker has released a high-function version of the watch decked out in a wild blue camo motif.
—
Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 30 Sep. 2025
Reputation Taylor Swift Reputation Taylor was a vibe, complete with snake motifs, black glitz, and an IDGAF attitude that the world had never seen from her before.
—Zoe Weiner, StyleCaster, 30 Sep. 2025
The videos that initially skyrocketed her to MomTok fame were of her and her kids having dance parties on her kitchen countertop—a motif that popped up in her and her pro partner Jan Ravnik’s episode 2 quickstep.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 30 Sep. 2025
Equally moody is Caillier’s textural take on Foliage, weaving branches of sepia, sage green, and sky-blue hues into a cocooning oak leaf motif.
—Sydney Gore, Architectural Digest, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for motif
Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 30 Sep. 2025
Reputation Taylor Swift Reputation Taylor was a vibe, complete with snake motifs, black glitz, and an IDGAF attitude that the world had never seen from her before.
—Zoe Weiner, StyleCaster, 30 Sep. 2025
The videos that initially skyrocketed her to MomTok fame were of her and her kids having dance parties on her kitchen countertop—a motif that popped up in her and her pro partner Jan Ravnik’s episode 2 quickstep.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 30 Sep. 2025
Equally moody is Caillier’s textural take on Foliage, weaving branches of sepia, sage green, and sky-blue hues into a cocooning oak leaf motif.
—Sydney Gore, Architectural Digest, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for motif
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motif
Noun
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Shot in Germany and Montevideo, the film examines themes of accessibility, artistic expression and maternal identity.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
3 Oct. 2025
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TikTok said in its transparency report covering January through March 2025 that roughly 30% of the content removed from the platform because of a policy violation was taken down due to sensitive and mature themes.—
Ana Nicolaci da Costa,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Other Club stocks like DuPont have undergone similar patterns.—
Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
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Either technology can show an assortment of issues like banding and dithering patterns in fills, which vary from printer to printer and can even vary from one quality setting to another with the same printer.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Support journalism that digs deeper into topics that matter most to Arkansans.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
2 Oct. 2025
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Those were all topics discussed at a forum for Republican candidates running to represent Kentucky's 6th Congressional District.—
Hannah Pinski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The innovative design allows for a loft space, an open-concept kitchen and dining area, plus a bathroom.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
6 Oct. 2025
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By simultaneously handling the design and engineering, Pininfarina was able to accelerate the entire process.—
Stephen Treffinger,
Robb Report,
5 Oct. 2025
Noun
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One of the defendants, Benjamin Song — a 32-year-old former Marine Corps reservist who associates described to authorities as a cult-like ringleader who opposes the government on immigration enforcement and on other matters — shot Alvarado Police Department Lt.—
Emerson Clarridge,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 Oct. 2025
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Dale Ellis covers the federal courthouse beat for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, reporting on criminal and civil matters that impact Arkansans.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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To the question earlier about Dak, that’s one of the great things about having a veteran quarterback.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Oct. 2025
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But unanswered questions have frustrated some parents.—
Gina Lee Castro,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Motif.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motif. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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