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

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 Silbiger’s portfolio is a reflective combination of classic American motifs like Saguaro cacti and herds of bison, and odd roadside attractions like the inflatable Maine lobster. — Sarah Silbiger, CNN Money, 25 July 2026 At the gold-stamping station, customers can watch Smythson’s artisans personalize purchases with initials or signature motifs. — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 24 July 2026 Inspired by the wild, wild West, this collection is full of skeletal cowboys and twisted desert motifs. — Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 July 2026 The home goes big on pattern, with some rooms displaying up to six different motifs at a time. — Leonora Epstein, Architectural Digest, 22 July 2026 Human faces emerge from distorted forms that appear stretched through time, echoing motifs found in Chan’s earlier titanium sculptures. — Anthony Demarco, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026 From Gigi Hadid’s Parisian date-night look to Lily Collins’s seaside-ready take, the style’s revival among celebrities proves that even nostalgic motifs can be refreshed with a new point of view. — Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 21 July 2026 Kate Spade is well-known for its whimsical handbags, often featuring fun shapes depicting slices of pizza, gorgeous flowers, delicious fruits, and other playful motifs. — Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 14 July 2026 Sweet and simple, these lemon motifs look plucked straight from a European grocer along the Amalfi coast. — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 13 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motifs
  1. themes
  2. patterns
  3. topics
  4. figures
  5. matters
  6. designs
  7. subjects
  8. ornaments
Noun
  • The soundtrack—by the frequent Hans Zimmer collaborator David Fleming—is a delight, a polyphonic mood board of ghost-clangs, spooky bassoons, lyrical electro-motifs, and sighing sea themes.
    — James Parker, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026
  • Requirements vary, but recurring themes include disclosure, documentation, audits, human oversight, and accountability.
    — Alonzo Martinez, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Definition of themes
Noun
  • Leaked reports suggest a release date of September 25, 2026, with early access on September 18 for Ultimate Edition and EA Play subscribers, aligning with past franchise patterns.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • Meanwhile, Uranus is the planet of disruption, innovation, liberation and the sudden developments that interrupt familiar patterns.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 21 July 2026
Definition of patterns
Noun
  • During our two-hour lunch, the conversation almost never strayed from his favorite topics, which are Richard Hanania, Richard Hanania’s analysis of politics, and Richard Hanania’s place in the firmament of public intellectuals.
    — Gilad Edelman, The Atlantic, 19 July 2026
  • Trump has announced major decisions and musings about other topics, including staff changes, immigration crackdowns, and matters of war and peace in Ukraine and Iran.
    — Bernard Condon, Fortune, 18 July 2026
Definition of topics
Noun
  • Leipzig had locker room issues a few years ago, when a few players were regarded as not pulling their weight — and Schlager was one of the senior figures who challenged them and urged them to improve their mentality.
    — Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • Those figures are comparable only in some respects because private transaction values can include debt while public market capitalizations do not.
    — Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of figures
Noun
  • For Johannes, stories like this highlight why access to electricity matters far beyond convenience.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 25 July 2026
  • High jump is a technical event — while physiology matters, the winner tends to be decided by who can best correct their errors as the bar goes up.
    — Liam Tharme, New York Times, 25 July 2026
Definition of matters
Noun
  • The complaint also alleges that the companies failed to adopt alternative designs and perpetuated the misconception that plastic filters are biodegradable or can be disposed of in public without significant consequence.
    — Reeti Malhotra July 23, Sacbee.com, 23 July 2026
  • Hundreds of thousands of defense contractors handle Controlled Unclassified Information, engineering designs, weapons system specifications, logistics data and other sensitive information.
    — Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
Definition of designs
Noun
  • But for Oseman, whose love story has always explored heavier but relevant subjects, that earnestness isn’t something to shy from.
    — Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 18 July 2026
  • Its solution is easily one of the most controversial subjects in America.
    — Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 18 July 2026
Definition of subjects
Noun
  • Liberty was founded by Arthur Lasenby Liberty in 1875 and has always been a vast curiosity shop selling ornaments, fabrics, furniture and art from around the world.
    — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 23 July 2026
  • Saleh sometimes leads painting workshops where participants can decorate items like ornaments and lampshades.
    — Lisa Boone, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Definition of ornaments

Browse Nearby Words

motif
motifs
motile
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Motifs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motifs. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on motifs

Nglish: Translation of motifs for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of aerie

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
chain-question-mark
Missing Link Quiz July 2026 Five seconds to figure out the word that fits bot...
See All