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
These design motifs from Boucheron’s archive all come together in the French jewelry house’s Quatre collection of rings, necklaces, and earrings.
—
Air Mail, 24 May 2025
Her first creations, a diamond necklace and earrings in a fan motif, referenced her family’s roots in eastern Nigeria, where making fans, especially in raffia and leather, is a traditional handicraft.
—Victoria Gomelsky, New York Times, 20 May 2025
The motif of changelings—of fairies taking a human child and leaving a nonhuman child in its place—comes up throughout the story.
—Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 18 May 2025
For 99 years, the criss-cross balcony motif that runs along the Bullens Road Stand has been the symbol of Goodison Park’s enduring charm.
—Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for motif
Air Mail, 24 May 2025
Her first creations, a diamond necklace and earrings in a fan motif, referenced her family’s roots in eastern Nigeria, where making fans, especially in raffia and leather, is a traditional handicraft.
—Victoria Gomelsky, New York Times, 20 May 2025
The motif of changelings—of fairies taking a human child and leaving a nonhuman child in its place—comes up throughout the story.
—Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 18 May 2025
For 99 years, the criss-cross balcony motif that runs along the Bullens Road Stand has been the symbol of Goodison Park’s enduring charm.
—Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for motif
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motif
Noun
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Mukherjee, also a professor of film studies at Jadavpur University, brings deep insight into the film’s themes and structure.—
David L. Coddon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 June 2025
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But The Slip is also exploring larger themes about the confounding nature of race in America and the human urge to slide into another identity.—
Book Marks
June 5,
Literary Hub,
5 June 2025
Noun
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That pattern held, and by the end Gauff had claimed 34 of the 51 points that lasted at least five strokes.—
Howard Fendrich,
Chicago Tribune,
5 June 2025
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Breaking Down Traditional Barriers Historically, cutting-edge technology has followed a predictable adoption pattern—initially prohibitively expensive and accessible only to the wealthiest organizations, gradually becoming more affordable and widespread over time.—
Dr. Sreeram Mullankandy,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
Noun
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Angela is also opening up about sensitive topics — like being millions of dollars in debt over these houses??—
Ile-Ife Okantah,
Vulture,
2 June 2025
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Check our top stories, topics and the latest articles on latimes.com.—
Kevinisha Walker,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2025
Noun
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The experience of working with elite football clubs exposed Bord to inefficiencies, and the absence of sophisticated algorithms that his company designs.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
31 May 2025
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The only thing to keep in mind is that, because of their sleek design, the shoe may seem narrow for those with wide feet.—
Karthika Gupta,
Travel + Leisure,
31 May 2025
Noun
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They were raised during the internet boom, financial decentralization, and the notion that digital identity and ownership matter.—
Chrissa McFarlane,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
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Others, meanwhile, said family matters should be left for behind closed doors and not for public shaming.—
Stephanie Guerilus,
People.com,
1 June 2025
Noun
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Judge Subramanian denied the defense's first motion, ruling that the questions were not prejudicial.—
Toria Sheffield,
People.com,
8 June 2025
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One of the petitions filed Friday would put the AR-15 and similar firearms at the center of the question presented to the Supreme Court.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
8 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Motif.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motif. Accessed 14 Jun. 2025.
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