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
The titles of Gerasene Demoniac and Something Bad Happened hint at something darker lurking amid the fairy-tale motifs.
—
Benjamin Lima
special Contributor, Dallas Morning News, 7 Feb. 2026
Don’t be shy when playing around with colors, patterns, and cute Galentine’s motifs.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Feb. 2026
That goo becomes a recurring motif, resurfacing during her magical meet-cute later in the video.
—Bryan West, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026
More casual looks will also feature cashmere, such as knitwear that draws upon the alpine ski sweater style of Western mountain culture, and traditional Mongolian motifs.
—Stefanie Dazio, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for motif
Benjamin Lima
special Contributor, Dallas Morning News, 7 Feb. 2026
Don’t be shy when playing around with colors, patterns, and cute Galentine’s motifs.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Feb. 2026
That goo becomes a recurring motif, resurfacing during her magical meet-cute later in the video.
—Bryan West, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026
More casual looks will also feature cashmere, such as knitwear that draws upon the alpine ski sweater style of Western mountain culture, and traditional Mongolian motifs.
—Stefanie Dazio, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for motif
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motif
Noun
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The summit’s overall theme was the breakdown of American healthcare and how the industry needs to be disrupted and rebuilt from the ground up.—
Annie Levin,
Washington Post,
10 Feb. 2026
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Emerging from a stormy period in Sutkowski’s life, III’s blend of emo, slowcore, and folk works great as a cathartic emotional exercise thanks to its visceral themes and weighty sound, even though the record seldom adds anything new to an ever-evolving emo canon.—
Billie Bugara,
Pitchfork,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Vast's 2027 mission will follow that same basic pattern, according to NASA.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
16 Feb. 2026
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Poison dart frog species have long fascinated researchers and the public, partly because of their diminutive size and striking color patterns and also because of the stories surrounding the deadly toxins found on their bodies.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Aliens remain topic of interest Questions around the existence of aliens and life beyond Earth have swirled for years, with interest reignited by recent hearings on Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena, or UAPs.—
Kate Perez,
USA Today,
16 Feb. 2026
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Support journalism that digs deeper into topics that matter most to Arkansans.—
Bradley Gitz,
Arkansas Online,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
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By treating purity as a design parameter, engineers can now develop materials that thrive in the most punishing environments, such as hypersonic flight and extraterrestrial construction.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Feb. 2026
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Tucked into the upper Devonshire neighborhood and situated on nearly half an acre, the home at 5420 Surrey Circle unfolds as a masterclass in warm, livable contemporary design.—
Allie Beth Allman & Associates,
Dallas Morning News,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Kiley has occasionally bucked GOP leadership on procedural matters and previously voted against a House rule that would have blocked consideration of tariff repeal measures.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Feb. 2026
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These features cannot be made by a single star that pulses and ejects material periodically; that would simply lead to a smooth distribution of matter.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The reversal follows a string of high-profile shootings involving federal immigration agents in which eyewitness statements and video evidence have called into question claims made to justify using deadly force.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
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And then just to finish the question, step three is then to expand and really build out the brand from there and build other kinds of businesses around it, like events, businesses, and so on.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Motif.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motif. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
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