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

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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 Meanwhile, Op de Beeck slips everyday Belgian objects and historical motifs — Duvel beer bottles, supermarket glassware, waffles and typical Flemish still-life arrangements — into his immersive installations, sculptures and films. — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 11 Sep. 2026 Featuring a series of historical works and new pieces created by the artist on-site during the past month, the exhibition focuses on water and transmutation as its central motifs. — Salomé Gómez-Upegui, ARTnews.com, 10 Sep. 2026 The rooms These hit everything on your bingo card for a stylish hotel room in 2024—there are brass light fixtures, rattan wardrobes, and art-deco curves and tier motifs. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Sep. 2026 From watermelon motifs and disco designs to mesmerizing cat-eye finishes, there’s something for every kind of fan. — Amanda Le, InStyle, 9 Sep. 2026 Many visual motifs emerge, most notably the men in the crowd who shed any inhibitions to cry, dance, and belt the songs at the top of their lungs. — Marshall Shaffer, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026 Stop by the sleek, warehouse-like space to select a special chain, then add charms that speak to you, with motifs inspired by everything from fun and empowerment to luck, protection, motherhood, and the cosmos. — Jacqui Gifford, Travel + Leisure, 4 Sep. 2026 Alternatively, the sleek lines could fit in living spaces with Art Deco motifs and could play nice with other metal finishes. — Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 2 Sep. 2026 Another, Undine kommt (Undine Comes), 2025, has its head in profile with a frontal eye, evoking the conventions of ancient Egyptian art and prehistoric female figurines, motifs that permeate Stötzer’s drawings, writings, and costumes. — Elisa R. Linn, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motifs
  1. themes
  2. patterns
  3. topics
  4. figures
  5. matters
  6. designs
  7. subjects
  8. ornaments
Noun
  • At San Sebastián, the film is also in contention for the Sebastiane Award, an honor for films exploring LGBTQIA+ themes and experiences.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Inspired by one of Jordan’s many nicknames, the Black Cat line has become one of the most popular themes in the Air Jordan line.
    — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of themes
Noun
  • Hurts starts by looking at small details, identifies patterns and then forms general theories that drive his questions.
    — Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Large language models can generate tailored customer communications, while machine learning frameworks can analyze browsing patterns.
    — Salman Shahid, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of patterns
Noun
  • Some 27% of Americans use AI chatbots to discuss personal, emotional or social topics, with users under 50 more likely to do so, according to a recent poll from Elon University researchers and The Washington Post.
    — Jennifer Liu, CNBC, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Hossain ties up the fate of her complicated protagonist with a neat bow, leaving too many unanswered questions about the backstory and topics raised.
    — Miriam Balanescu, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of topics
Noun
  • Webb figures he's got the best of both worlds, having his play-calling mentor by his side and squaring off against defensive coordinator Vance Joseph and Denver's stout defense all summer.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The precise figures go unpublished, all wrapped up in one big commercial total in the accounts, but there is unlikely to be a bigger deal of its kind in the Premier League.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of figures
Noun
  • The Justice Department, Federal Trade Commission, and Canada’s Competition Bureau have worked together for decades on cross-border antitrust matters, including merger reviews and investigations into potential anticompetitive conduct.
    — Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2026
  • This combination matters when electronics need to communicate with biological systems.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of matters
Noun
  • At the very least, these designs showcased Fleury’s creativity, especially in his first regular-season game as an offensive play caller.
    — Andrew Destin, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The doughnut chain also released special-edition Pokémon cups in six different designs.
    — Erin Clements, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of designs
Noun
  • To help acquaint federal judges with the basics of such subjects, the research and educational arm of the federal judiciary, the Federal Judicial Center (FJC), began publishing the Reference Manual on Scientific Evidence in 1994.
    — Jed S. Rakoff, The New York Review of Books, 5 Sep. 2026
  • The distinction between allopathic and osteopathic education is not whether these subjects exist elsewhere.
    — Torie Bosch, STAT, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of subjects
Noun
  • The report also alleges that Chavez-DeRemer used her staff for personal tasks, such as organizing her closet and purchasing holiday ornaments.
    — Luke Barr, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Especially memorable designs include its Naga choker, wherein each gem represents ornaments worn by a different native tribe, and its Naga orchid necklace, inspired by the nearly 400 species of the flowering plant found in the region.
    — Sohini Dey, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of ornaments

Browse Nearby Words

motif
motifs
motile
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Cite this Entry

“Motifs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motifs. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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