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
Stained glass along with acorn and oak leaf motifs are woven throughout the home.
—
Kaitlyn Keegan, Hartford Courant, 28 Feb. 2026
The sets are all a variation of a neutral white with several different motif options.
—Jamie Weissman, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Feb. 2026
Continue your western takeover onto your nails with cow print, bull motifs, and drops of turquoise.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 27 Feb. 2026
Many of the failings against Monaco — and there were plenty — have been recurring motifs in recent months.
—Jack Lang, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for motif
Kaitlyn Keegan, Hartford Courant, 28 Feb. 2026
The sets are all a variation of a neutral white with several different motif options.
—Jamie Weissman, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Feb. 2026
Continue your western takeover onto your nails with cow print, bull motifs, and drops of turquoise.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 27 Feb. 2026
Many of the failings against Monaco — and there were plenty — have been recurring motifs in recent months.
—Jack Lang, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for motif
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motif
Noun
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Each suite has a musical theme, but the regular guest rooms are just as comfy and spacious.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 Mar. 2026
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Craddick, who did not have to give up her railroad commission seat to run for comptroller, pledged a top-to-bottom audit of state government and also leaned into conservative cultural themes, including opposition to DEI.—
Aarón Torres,
Dallas Morning News,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
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If a friend’s pattern isn’t fully loyal, wait to decide your response until tomorrow or after.—
Magi Helena,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Nicholas Carl, with the Critical Threats Project, said the pattern indicates the campaign is already underway to set the conditions for a revolution.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Fears around migration in Turkey Migration is a sensitive topic in Turkey, which at one point was hosting nearly 4 million Syrian refugees.—
Serra Yedikardes,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
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Things like focused breathing, mental offloading, light and temperature, somatic focused grounding, and limited screen time are hot topics.—
Emilee Coblentz,
Outside,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
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This stay is ideal for design-minded travelers who still want to be close to the energy of Positano.—
Angela Tafoya,
Vogue,
9 Mar. 2026
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The rooms Blurring the line between inside and out, Few & Far Luvhondo’s clifftop suites are a masterclass in biophilic design.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Amodei is in talks with Emil Michael, under-secretary of defense for research and engineering, in a last-ditch effort to reach an agreement on the terms governing the Pentagon's access to Anthropic's Claude models, the Times reported, citing anonymous sources with knowledge of the matter.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
5 Mar. 2026
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If the matter-antimatter asymmetry arose due to a breaking of a certain cosmic symmetry at a higher energy, then restoring the symmetry could lead to that symmetry re-breaking in a different fashion.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Advice columnist Carolyn Hax takes your comments and questions most Fridays about life, family, relationships and more.—
Carolyn Hax,
Washington Post,
27 Mar. 2026
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And yet, Trump has also managed to avoid complex questions about those issues — the most pressing before his administration — and despite Democrats and some of his own supporters lashing out over them.—
Kevin Rector,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Motif.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motif. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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