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 ornate accessory features scrollwork and clover motifs in silver and gold, set with diamonds that can be detached and worn as a brooch.
—
Marta Martínez Tato,
Vanity Fair,
24 June 2026
The quilt features classic beach motifs like starfish, sand dollars, and seashells to make your guest bedroom feel like a summer escape.
—
Brandi Fuller,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 June 2026
Elicit the distinctive pink motifs of South Beach, Miami with this short and cute design.
—
Odeya Pinkus,
InStyle,
22 June 2026
Smith often used celestial motifs in his work, notably in the song 'Shooting Star,' which, in hindsight, symbolizes his brief but brilliant light.
—
Chelsea Gohd,
Space.com,
20 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for motif
Marta Martínez Tato,
Vanity Fair,
24 June 2026
The quilt features classic beach motifs like starfish, sand dollars, and seashells to make your guest bedroom feel like a summer escape.
—
Brandi Fuller,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 June 2026
Elicit the distinctive pink motifs of South Beach, Miami with this short and cute design.
—
Odeya Pinkus,
InStyle,
22 June 2026
Smith often used celestial motifs in his work, notably in the song 'Shooting Star,' which, in hindsight, symbolizes his brief but brilliant light.
—
Chelsea Gohd,
Space.com,
20 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for motif
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motif
Noun
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Its summer program is built as a four or five-day series, with each two-hour session focused on a theme like pastry-making or global flavors.
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The first box was the Snack Blind Box, and the second box was the Fiber Blind Box, meaning Wednesday's drop will be one of the other two themes.
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.
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Watts teaches clients how to fish, respect the lake, to understand seasons, patterns and the importance of stewardship.
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.
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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.
Noun
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The national debate will keep arguing about which ERPO design is philosophically correct.
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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.
Noun
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The news comes as Lackland Air Force Base in Texas — home to the Air Force's Basic Military Training program — grapples with a flu outbreak that has infected 275 people in recent weeks, a congressional staffer with knowledge of the matter told CBS News.
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To make matters worse, microbiome testing has gotten cheaper and faster, but not more accurate.
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.
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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.
Cite this Entry
“Motif.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motif. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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