MOTIFS Synonyms: 72 Similar and Opposite Words

motifs

noun

plural of motif

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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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 The store is also offering personalization services, where their artisans gold-stamp diaries, notebooks and leather styles with initials and playful motifs. — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026 Taking a cue from Dante himself, Curci also borrowed motifs from popular mythology. — Ed Meza, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026 The Harmony Suite, for example, embraces shades of blue, wave-like motifs, and all things water. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Oct. 2026 These glasses have plenty of personality with playful prints, unexpected motifs, and fun patterns. — Francesca Krempa, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026 Floral motifs appear throughout the mosque’s floors and walls, while columns rise like flower stems, each inlaid with mother-of-pearl and semi-precious stones that climb toward capitals shaped like palm fronds. — Kieron Marchese, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2026 In their video works, Phil Colllins and Christian Jankowski both edit together various scenes from telenovelas, both imagined and real, respectively, as a way to draw attention to these recurring motifs. — Damaly Gonzalez, ARTnews.com, 30 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for motifs

Noun

Though grounded in a particular culture, the film deals with ambition, desire and social change, themes the producer believes will speak to audiences internationally.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
But the seeds are planted quickly for weightier themes to be explored later.

— Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of themes

Noun

Brain networks—the stable patterns of communication that handle vision, attention, or our sense of self, and more—loosen and start talking to each other all at once.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 10 Oct. 2026
Many attendees opted for all-black as well as strapless gowns, and off-the-shoulder dresses elevated by dark jewels, floral patterns, and mixed textures.

— Aaron Royce, Vogue, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of patterns

Noun

Both candidates wove personal attacks and affordability points into questions that a panel of journalists from across the state asked on a variety of topics.

— Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2026
Collectively the display contributes to enriching knowledge of and challenging conventions on ocean topics.

— Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of topics

Noun

Dante populated his realms of Hell and Purgatory with figures, monsters and moral frameworks borrowed directly from classical Greek and Roman myths.

— Ed Meza, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
Of late, Holloway’s inspirations have included figures from history, music stars, actors and socialites such as the Duke of Windsor, Bryan Ferry and Charlie Watts.

— Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of figures

Noun

For Republicans, well, there’s not much downside at all, except for those that truly despise green power or, perhaps wisely, fear increasing federal authority over local permitting matters.

— Jordan Blum, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
That includes Teams data, emails or chats where employees may have discussed health or personal matters.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of matters

Noun

The handbag would go on to become one of Fendi’s most celebrated designs.

— Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
Testing a different reactor design Unlike conventional reactors, which typically use solid fuel, molten salt reactor designs can dissolve nuclear fuel in liquid salt.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of designs

Noun

The nonprofit has championed South Asian voices in film, art and storytelling since 2002, giving a platform to work on subjects such as caste, gender and sexuality.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
The picture painted from the interview subjects, who occasionally draw sketches of weapons-screen interfaces on notepads, is of a computerized tracking-and-killing apparatus, culled from the surveillance Israel keeps of nearly every phone in Gaza.

— Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of subjects

Noun

Weighing around four pounds, the six by four foot penacho previously featured several sections of different colored feathers along with gold ornaments on a net held in place by slim wooden rods.

— News Desk, Artforum, 12 Oct. 2026
The image could be found on T-shirts, hats, billboards, beer bottles, Christmas ornaments and even adorned the cover of several books written about the championship season.

— Mark Long, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of ornaments

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motif

motifs

motile

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“Motifs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motifs. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of motifs

noun

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