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

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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 Rooms feature lanais, rattan furniture, and carpeting with bamboo motifs. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026 Floral motifs appear throughout the mosque’s floors and walls, while columns rise like flower stems, each inlaid with mother-of-pearl and semi-precious stones that climb toward capitals shaped like palm fronds. — Kieron Marchese, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2026 Zimmermann’s spring 2027 collection featured a bevy of delicate motifs, from flowers to soft color schemes and more. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026 In their video works, Phil Colllins and Christian Jankowski both edit together various scenes from telenovelas, both imagined and real, respectively, as a way to draw attention to these recurring motifs. — Damaly Gonzalez, ARTnews.com, 30 Sep. 2026 There are artworks by South African and international artists, while circular shapes throughout the house nod to Zulu design motifs. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 29 Sep. 2026 With plenty to take inspiration from (for example, cozy textures, seasonal motifs, and nature’s changing colors), there are just as many fun and easy projects to try. — Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 27 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for motifs

Noun

Though grounded in a particular culture, the film deals with ambition, desire and social change, themes the producer believes will speak to audiences internationally.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
But the seeds are planted quickly for weightier themes to be explored later.

— Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of themes

Noun

Brain networks—the stable patterns of communication that handle vision, attention, or our sense of self, and more—loosen and start talking to each other all at once.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 10 Oct. 2026
Many attendees opted for all-black as well as strapless gowns, and off-the-shoulder dresses elevated by dark jewels, floral patterns, and mixed textures.

— Aaron Royce, Vogue, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of patterns

Noun

Both candidates wove personal attacks and affordability points into questions that a panel of journalists from across the state asked on a variety of topics.

— Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2026
Collectively the display contributes to enriching knowledge of and challenging conventions on ocean topics.

— Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of topics

Noun

The Justice Department also says Beijing is determined to sway American public opinion in its favor by cultivating relationships with political figures seen as having access to the levers of power.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
Forty-five percent of adults 30 to 44 say the same; both figures have declined in the years since the COVID-19 pandemic.

— Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of figures

Noun

For Republicans, well, there’s not much downside at all, except for those that truly despise green power or, perhaps wisely, fear increasing federal authority over local permitting matters.

— Jordan Blum, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
That includes Teams data, emails or chats where employees may have discussed health or personal matters.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of matters

Noun

Commercial designs would more likely control groups of cells to reduce hardware complexity and cost.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026
To help textile mills assess the impact of their headers, Fabscrap also developed a Smart Swatch Scorecard, which assigns header designs a grade, based on the number of components and the relative ease of disassembling them.

— Bella Webb, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of designs

Noun

The nonprofit has championed South Asian voices in film, art and storytelling since 2002, giving a platform to work on subjects such as caste, gender and sexuality.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
The picture painted from the interview subjects, who occasionally draw sketches of weapons-screen interfaces on notepads, is of a computerized tracking-and-killing apparatus, culled from the surveillance Israel keeps of nearly every phone in Gaza.

— Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of subjects

Noun

India’s notable opulence within ornaments comes to life in the jewelry.

— Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2026
On August 27, thieves made off with almost all of it, leaving behind only a small handful of silver vessels, one bracelet, ornaments, and one of four crowns, thought to have been dropped in their escape.

— Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of ornaments

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motif

motifs

motile

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“Motifs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motifs. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of motifs

noun

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