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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

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 Growing up in the late ’90s and early aughts, butterfly motifs were everywhere. —

Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 18 June 2026 This year’s design is a soft, baby blue gown — paying homage to the color of the island’s original 1895 flag— embroidered with subtle motifs, including yellow taxi cabs, the Brooklyn bridge and the Puerto Rico’s national flower, the flor de maga. —

CNN Money, 15 June 2026 Scallops have become one of decorating's most enduring motifs, and this wastebasket embraces them wholeheartedly. —

Jaha Nailah Avery, Architectural Digest, 15 June 2026 Matters became more serious when my character noted that the occult symbol in the basement matched the decorative motifs around Ashenridge. —

Jacqueline Goldblatt, PC Magazine, 13 June 2026 The line features subtle nods to her favorite number, three, and cherry blossom motifs, along with her signature color palette and silhouettes. —

Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 12 June 2026 Rich textiles, custom embroidery, crystal embellishment and patriotic motifs brought texture, movement and a fresh interpretation of American glamour. —

Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2026 The piece is yarn-dyed with a vibrant mix of blue, orange, and yellow hues and features a detailed pattern with medallion and botanical motifs. —

Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 7 June 2026 While the Sagrada Familia is his most famous work, Gaudi is well known for Park Güell, completed between 1900 and 1913, which features many of his iconic motifs, Casa Batlló, and the apartment building Casa Milà, which is mimics a wave. —

Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 4 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for motifs

Noun

Ginzburg was a pioneer of microhistory, which focuses on small, specific units of analysis — such as an individual, a community, or a singular event — to reveal broader themes and issues within history.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 June 2026
The way a child constructs and engages with the scene can help the therapist explore underlying emotions and unconscious themes.

— Hannah Silverman, Parents, 17 June 2026