1
as in themes
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in patterns
a unit of decoration that is repeated all over something (as a fabric)
the fabric for the upholstery features a scallop shell motif
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of motifs
Plus, all pieces are adorned with mid-century style motifs to give everything an extra boost of vintage flair.
—
Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 4 Feb. 2026
Sequence analysis 5′ of the transcriptional site indicated a TATA-less promoter with possible cis-acting motifs that may regulate C3a receptor gene expression.
—Kirstin R.w. Matthews, STAT, 3 Feb. 2026
And the treatment of homosexuality in Behan’s 1958 autobiographical novel, Borstal Boy, bears clear comparison with the Search, as both authors weave stories of gay love around motifs of sound, silence, and the sea.
—Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026
Softness and subtlety are recurring motifs, a striking departure from the current trend among modern Chinese restaurants toward forceful, fiery flavors.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2026
Other hotels create equally memorable effects by layering texture, metallics, and natural motifs for a tactile feel.
—Colleen Sullivan, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Jan. 2026
The 6,000-square-foot estate draws heavily on Moroccan design motifs, with the celebrated interior designer Brittny Button bringing in touches like a 13th-century fireplace in the living room and Moroccan fountains along the exterior.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 28 Jan. 2026
Gherardo Felloni delved into Roger Vivier’s archives with his Pièce Unique collection of one-off pieces for spring, bringing to life animal motifs explored by the house’s founder in colorful contemporary creations showcasing a plethora of precious craft techniques.
—Alex Wynne, Footwear News, 27 Jan. 2026
Anderson drew on natural motifs in floral appliqués and fabrics with feather and scale-like textures.
—Emma Mehl, Glamour, 27 Jan. 2026
Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 4 Feb. 2026
Sequence analysis 5′ of the transcriptional site indicated a TATA-less promoter with possible cis-acting motifs that may regulate C3a receptor gene expression.
—Kirstin R.w. Matthews, STAT, 3 Feb. 2026
And the treatment of homosexuality in Behan’s 1958 autobiographical novel, Borstal Boy, bears clear comparison with the Search, as both authors weave stories of gay love around motifs of sound, silence, and the sea.
—Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026
Softness and subtlety are recurring motifs, a striking departure from the current trend among modern Chinese restaurants toward forceful, fiery flavors.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2026
Other hotels create equally memorable effects by layering texture, metallics, and natural motifs for a tactile feel.
—Colleen Sullivan, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Jan. 2026
The 6,000-square-foot estate draws heavily on Moroccan design motifs, with the celebrated interior designer Brittny Button bringing in touches like a 13th-century fireplace in the living room and Moroccan fountains along the exterior.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 28 Jan. 2026
Gherardo Felloni delved into Roger Vivier’s archives with his Pièce Unique collection of one-off pieces for spring, bringing to life animal motifs explored by the house’s founder in colorful contemporary creations showcasing a plethora of precious craft techniques.
—Alex Wynne, Footwear News, 27 Jan. 2026
Anderson drew on natural motifs in floral appliqués and fabrics with feather and scale-like textures.
—Emma Mehl, Glamour, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motifs
Noun
-
Goldman Sachs has initiated research coverage of the miner Energy Fuels with a buy rating, citing the company's exposure to two big themes in the energy industry — uranium and rare earths.—
Spencer Kimball,
CNBC,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Others pushed the exotic limits further with Hindu/Asia or Babylonian/Mesopotamian themes.—
Jody Mamone,
Hartford Courant,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Austrian, who finished second at the Yanqing World Cup in China in 2024, has trained as a neuromental coach, focusing on rewiring thought patterns and mindset.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Across the experiments, the sensor network was consistently effective at producing distinct signal patterns and activating protective responses depending on the force applied.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Support journalism that digs deeper into topics that matter most to Arkansans.—
John Brummett,
Arkansas Online,
10 Feb. 2026
-
But learning about such fascinating topics required catching these mysterious energized neutrinos in a way never done before, which in turn requires extraordinary equipment, UChicago explained.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Joe Brusuelas, senior economist at RSM US, highlighted a few of those factors when pushing back on White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett’s claim Monday that subdued job gains are primarily the result of lower population figures and higher productivity.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Since the retail figures aren’t adjusted for inflation, weaker figures could be impacted by steep holiday discounts.—
Bloomberg Wire,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Zelenskyy previously stressed that the timing and format of any elections are matters solely for Ukraine and its citizens, rejecting any suggestion that the Kremlin could dictate the process.—
Ashley Carnahan,
FOXNews.com,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The Trust Act allows for local cooperation with ICE on certain criminal matters, like human trafficking, child exploitation, drug and weapons trafficking, and cybercrimes.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
When Luckman arrived in Chicago, the Bears playbook had hundreds of designs from the T Formation, with hundreds of variations in the playbook and seemingly hundreds more in the imagination.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Feb. 2026
-
This is clearly not possible considering the importance of safety concerns associated with nuclear reactors, particularly new and novel designs.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The shift in power from the media to the sources to the subjects.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
14 Feb. 2026
-
But there’s a fundamentally American sensibility that unites its subjects — all eccentric, stubborn individuals whose belief in property as a sacred right has led them into conflict with someone equally convinced of their own entitlement.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Fill the base with white sand and a handful of small ornaments for interest at the base (the sand will also keep the display from tipping over).—
Miranda Crowell,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Kelly green walls, golden chandeliers and vibrant red ornaments set the stage for a dining experience set to a '50s playlist of Sinatra and Dean Martin.—
USA TODAY NETWORK,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Motifs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motifs. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
