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
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Recent Examples of motifs
It was created for her royal tour of Australia in 1954 and reveals white and yellow wattle blossom motifs to honor her first visit to the country as queen.
—
Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 30 Apr. 2026
Fruit motifs are a bright and cheerful way to add a little retro charm to a tablescape or bar cart.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Apr. 2026
Four plant motifs, including a rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock, were hand-cut from lace and hand-appliquéd onto ivory silk tulle to represent England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland — the four countries that comprise the United Kingdom.
—Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
The motifs indicate a Late Bronze Age date of 1300 to 1100 BCE.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 25 Apr. 2026
Above you, the luminous gold ceiling stretches like a floating carpet of intricate diamond motifs.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Dec-aura points are the decor version—the design, decoration, and styling motifs that elevate a space into something undeniably chic, magnetic, and inviting.
—Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 22 Apr. 2026
Mathematicians hope that these intricate motifs will point them toward deeper topological features of individual knots.
—Erica Klarreich, Quanta Magazine, 22 Apr. 2026
Bamboo motifs are laser-etched throughout the collection.
—Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 21 Apr. 2026
Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 30 Apr. 2026
Fruit motifs are a bright and cheerful way to add a little retro charm to a tablescape or bar cart.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Apr. 2026
Four plant motifs, including a rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock, were hand-cut from lace and hand-appliquéd onto ivory silk tulle to represent England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland — the four countries that comprise the United Kingdom.
—Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
The motifs indicate a Late Bronze Age date of 1300 to 1100 BCE.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 25 Apr. 2026
Above you, the luminous gold ceiling stretches like a floating carpet of intricate diamond motifs.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Dec-aura points are the decor version—the design, decoration, and styling motifs that elevate a space into something undeniably chic, magnetic, and inviting.
—Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 22 Apr. 2026
Mathematicians hope that these intricate motifs will point them toward deeper topological features of individual knots.
—Erica Klarreich, Quanta Magazine, 22 Apr. 2026
Bamboo motifs are laser-etched throughout the collection.
—Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 21 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motifs
Noun
-
The tool then used multi-agent reasoning to surface direct quotes from speakers that support or push back on the central themes.—
Gina Chua,
semafor.com,
6 May 2026
-
Its vision is sharp and clever, its humor unexpected, and its handling of themes of mortality and home genuinely moving.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
In interviews, representatives of some companies told me about their algorithms’ abilities to reveal patterns that impressions alone cannot.—
Ellen Cushing,
The Atlantic,
3 May 2026
-
In a city, the faintest stars disappear, leaving only the brightest patterns.—
Jamie Carter,
Space.com,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
With a unique blend of Italian and Jersey influences, Davi shares insights and advice through empowering content and a live touring show addressing topics like dating, family dynamics, financial freedom, and how to be a man in the modern world.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
4 May 2026
-
Further hearings this year will examine other topics before the commission publishes its final report in December.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
The meeting between the two dignitaries will won’t include a livestreamed news conference like those the president has hosted with other international figures.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The large monetary figures Ingoglia unveiled during each news conference came from analyses conducted by the state’s Department of Governmental Efficiency team, or DOGE, which had requested budget information from and visited many municipalities across the state.—
Abigail Hasebroock,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Pistons fans are, understandably, in shambles, but one fan is taking matters into his own hands to punish himself for daring to be a Pistons supporter.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Whether landlords and towers are following the law matters because towing in Connecticut has disproportionately occurred in low-income areas.—
Ginny Monk,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Throughout the night, Taylor was outfitted in Calvin Klein Collection custom designs.—
Eve Batey,
Vanity Fair,
3 May 2026
-
Originally, the designs were for everything to be about toys.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
Other works in Pau’s repertoire deal with thorny subjects via more oblique and disjointed imagery.—
Pauline J. Yao,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
-
Navarro's goal with the podcast is to both interview interesting subjects and break down news items without the typical restrictions of cable or broadcast TV, where a cohost or panelist may only get a fraction of a 7 minute segment to speak.—
Ralphie Aversa,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
When kuru’s vocals get more monotone, Backstage hologram ornaments the toplines with gorgeous digital keyboard parts that reference the crusty, low-res soundtracks of Nintendo DS-era RPGs like Pokemon Diamond & Pearl.—
Jude Noel,
Pitchfork,
30 Apr. 2026
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During the service, it is presented along with a number of spiritual ornaments, including the sovereign's orb and several swords, per the Royal Collection Trust.—
Alex Gurley,
PEOPLE,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Motifs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motifs. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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