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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 Venus Williams x Crate & Kids Collection From tennis-ball motifs to her favorite lavender-and-green color combo, Williams’ collection with Crate & Kids is both playful and can easily transition alongside kids and their ever-changing styles. — Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Sep. 2026 Nude illusion looks — often ornamented with glitter, feathers, and other Mackie motifs — became a staple look for the designer. — Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2026 Aina emphasized the importance of color in influencing moods and self-perception and aims to bring joy to people in a sometimes-frustrating world through the use of the sun and sunflower motifs. — Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 13 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
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
  • Any interviewer with distance from Jay, or perhaps refined skills as a journalist, may have approached the tracks more directly, and some topics here feel like they’re weighted with unturned stones.
    — Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The letter outlines topics that End Citizens United wants KPDC to investigate.
    — Cuyler Dunn, Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of topics
Noun
  • In dressage competitions, horses follow a short sequence of bouncing walks and trots, pirouettes and figures-of-eight.
    — Ian Parker, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026
  • And the number moved enough that the Census Bureau took the unusual step of declaring the old and new figures incomparable, creating a new time series from December 4, 2025, and filing the earlier data under historical.
    — Ajay Pundhir, Forbes.com, 14 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
  • Household furnishings like clocks and bedspreads sported his designs.
    — BETH J. HARPAZ THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Arkansas Online, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The two materials are intended to serve different battery manufacturing requirements as energy storage systems become larger and battery designs evolve.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of designs
Noun
  • During the course of Lindsay’s trial, both Patrick and Danis became subjects of unfounded conspiracy theories.
    — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Grand jury proceedings are kept confidential to allow people to testify freely without worrying about consequences and so that the subjects of an investigation are not unfairly tainted before the jury can decide whether to file charges against them.
    — Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 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
  • The route is made extra special during the winter holidays with twinkling lights, dangling ornaments and sightings of Father Solstice passing by on his own train.
    — Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 4 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 19 Sep. 2026.

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