motifs

noun

plural of motif
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

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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 The vibrant floral motifs and creamy white hue ooze sophistication, while the dainty size is perfect for carrying your phone, keys, lipstick, and wallet. — Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 3 Sep. 2026 Alternatively, the sleek lines could fit in living spaces with Art Deco motifs and could play nice with other metal finishes. — Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 2 Sep. 2026 Another, Undine kommt (Undine Comes), 2025, has its head in profile with a frontal eye, evoking the conventions of ancient Egyptian art and prehistoric female figurines, motifs that permeate Stötzer’s drawings, writings, and costumes. — Elisa R. Linn, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026 The bride followed a tradition of wearing red for her Indian ceremony the next day, choosing a red Sabyasachi sari with vintage motifs of rickshaws and gramophones. — Shelby Wax, Vogue, 1 Sep. 2026 Heritage lingerie references, natural materials, nostalgic motifs and traditional techniques are being reinterpreted through contemporary silhouettes, technologies and styling. — Sj Studio, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026 Nonetheless, his corpus boasts certain continuities and several recurring motifs. — Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026 Plenty of houses have motifs that are revisited season after season. — Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 29 Aug. 2026 Repetitive motifs in various shapes were her trademark, resembling netting, swirls or worms, but most often dots, dancing proudly on her canvases or as sparkling balls or dots of light in her installations in all their vibrant, psychedelic glory. — Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motifs
  1. themes
  2. patterns
  3. topics
  4. figures
  5. matters
  6. designs
  7. subjects
  8. ornaments
Noun
  • At San Sebastián, the film is also in contention for the Sebastiane Award, an honor for films exploring LGBTQIA+ themes and experiences.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Inspired by one of Jordan’s many nicknames, the Black Cat line has become one of the most popular themes in the Air Jordan line.
    — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of themes
Noun
  • Hurts starts by looking at small details, identifies patterns and then forms general theories that drive his questions.
    — Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Large language models can generate tailored customer communications, while machine learning frameworks can analyze browsing patterns.
    — Salman Shahid, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of patterns
Noun
  • Some 27% of Americans use AI chatbots to discuss personal, emotional or social topics, with users under 50 more likely to do so, according to a recent poll from Elon University researchers and The Washington Post.
    — Jennifer Liu, CNBC, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Hossain ties up the fate of her complicated protagonist with a neat bow, leaving too many unanswered questions about the backstory and topics raised.
    — Miriam Balanescu, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of topics
Noun
  • Webb figures he's got the best of both worlds, having his play-calling mentor by his side and squaring off against defensive coordinator Vance Joseph and Denver's stout defense all summer.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The precise figures go unpublished, all wrapped up in one big commercial total in the accounts, but there is unlikely to be a bigger deal of its kind in the Premier League.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of figures
Noun
  • The Justice Department, Federal Trade Commission, and Canada’s Competition Bureau have worked together for decades on cross-border antitrust matters, including merger reviews and investigations into potential anticompetitive conduct.
    — Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2026
  • This combination matters when electronics need to communicate with biological systems.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of matters
Noun
  • Sergio tells Bryan that his designs are incongruent, and everyone has a problem with the crotch on his gown.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
  • His son, in partnership with close friends behind Bolivia’s best boutique hotel brand Panorama (known for Met and Atix in La Paz), teamed up to bring Ugalde’s vision to life, true to his original designs.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of designs
Noun
  • To help acquaint federal judges with the basics of such subjects, the research and educational arm of the federal judiciary, the Federal Judicial Center (FJC), began publishing the Reference Manual on Scientific Evidence in 1994.
    — Jed S. Rakoff, The New York Review of Books, 5 Sep. 2026
  • The distinction between allopathic and osteopathic education is not whether these subjects exist elsewhere.
    — Torie Bosch, STAT, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of subjects
Noun
  • Especially memorable designs include its Naga choker, wherein each gem represents ornaments worn by a different native tribe, and its Naga orchid necklace, inspired by the nearly 400 species of the flowering plant found in the region.
    — Sohini Dey, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Sep. 2026
  • So are the Catholic lawn ornaments and gardens sprouting eggplants and figs.
    — Rachel Corbett, Curbed, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of ornaments

Browse Nearby Words

motif
motifs
motile
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Cite this Entry

“Motifs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motifs. Accessed 10 Sep. 2026.

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