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
Inspired by the helter-skelter brickwork of Chiang Mai's crumbling temples, their façades feature masonry laid in intricate motifs and wooden lattices that create beautiful shadowy patterns when the sun hits.
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Mar. 2026
This soft coral tumbler is covered in delicate designs depicting motifs of women.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
Think soft yellow hues, floral motifs, and colorful stained glass.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 17 Mar. 2026
In 2026, modern equestrian elegance is all about balancing classic equestrian motifs with modern design elements for a fresh, approachable take on this timeless look.
—Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Mar. 2026
Horse motifs abound throughout textiles and lamps in the little girl’s room, reflecting the fiery spirit of the lunar year to come.
—Annabelle Dufraigne, Architectural Digest, 14 Mar. 2026
Silicone slip dresses with lace motifs, neon fringe, and fuzzy frocks worn over neon tights and see-through PVC shoes that could've been pulled from a dollhouse.
—Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 12 Mar. 2026
While fashion has a long history of subverting religious motifs, Spradlin said the colors reflect a shift to sincerity, adding that Gen Z and millennials are outpacing older cohorts in church attendance.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 12 Mar. 2026
The optical range will weave in signature brand motifs such as the eagle and use refined hardware across acetate and metal styles.
—Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 12 Mar. 2026
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Mar. 2026
This soft coral tumbler is covered in delicate designs depicting motifs of women.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
Think soft yellow hues, floral motifs, and colorful stained glass.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 17 Mar. 2026
In 2026, modern equestrian elegance is all about balancing classic equestrian motifs with modern design elements for a fresh, approachable take on this timeless look.
—Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Mar. 2026
Horse motifs abound throughout textiles and lamps in the little girl’s room, reflecting the fiery spirit of the lunar year to come.
—Annabelle Dufraigne, Architectural Digest, 14 Mar. 2026
Silicone slip dresses with lace motifs, neon fringe, and fuzzy frocks worn over neon tights and see-through PVC shoes that could've been pulled from a dollhouse.
—Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 12 Mar. 2026
While fashion has a long history of subverting religious motifs, Spradlin said the colors reflect a shift to sincerity, adding that Gen Z and millennials are outpacing older cohorts in church attendance.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 12 Mar. 2026
The optical range will weave in signature brand motifs such as the eagle and use refined hardware across acetate and metal styles.
—Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 12 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motifs
Noun
-
Kilmer’s role ties closely to the film’s cultural themes.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Mar. 2026
-
The series’ ad nauseam repetition, its pat dialogue laying bare its themes and episode titles reaffirming those ideas, feel like a desperate, and ultimately failed, attempt to prove to us — or maybe to itself — that Imperfect Women actually has something enlightening to say.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
While federal recommendations emphasize improving carbohydrate quality and overall eating patterns, some popular diet approaches focus more directly on reducing total carbohydrate intake.—
Peter Burke,
FOXNews.com,
22 Mar. 2026
-
At the time, some brands would offer only certain patterns and longer lengths of ring slings.—
Susan-Elizabeth Littlefield,
CBS News,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Support journalism that digs deeper into topics that matter most to Arkansans.—
Bradley Gitz,
Arkansas Online,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Poverty Another group of seven lawsuits touched on issues related to poverty along with topics such as funding.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Democrats strongly opposed Kent's confirmation because of his past ties to far-right figures and conspiracy theories.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
18 Mar. 2026
-
The Center for American Progress, a left-leaning policy institute, questioned those figures and pointed to analyses predicting a more modest $331 to $748 increase.—
Dan Avery,
CNBC,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Dale Ellis covers the federal courthouse beat for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, reporting on criminal and civil matters that impact Arkansans.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Four counts are related to election wagering, with Kalshi allegedly accepting bets on matters like if Vice President JD Vance will win the 2028 Presidential Election; and if a Democratic candidate will win the 2026 election for Secretary of State of Arizona.—
Cheyenne Roundtree,
Rolling Stone,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
That committee approved a set of different designs, which included images related to the abolition of slavery, the Civil Rights Movement and women's suffrage.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Such designs could lead to more efficient, flexible, and resilient robotic systems capable of mimicking natural movement more closely.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The subjects are clearly not dressed for rugged terrain.—
Peter Hessler,
New Yorker,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Built off the foundation laid by Fisher’s 2023 short of the same name about some of the same subjects, the film gets across the diversity of these parents’ experiences, ranging from dads who didn’t get it at first to others who were quicker to understand and accept their children’s feelings.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The store’s display of wooden German pieces, for example, are reproductions of a line of German ornaments from the late 1920s.—
Emily M. Olson,
Hartford Courant,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Behind them a young man with a paint-flecked beard followed the designer about the set, twitching the hem of the velvet curtains hung at the window and rearranging the ornaments on the mantelpiece.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Motifs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motifs. Accessed 25 Mar. 2026.
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