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
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
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
Noun
-
Disqualifying factors for Safe Street workers include a history of arson, rape or crimes involving children; active warrants, probation or parole violations; or any patterns of criminal conduct that suggest the person is an active risk to public safety, Mavronis said.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
-
Petroleum engineers have spent recent years documenting, through the Society of Petroleum Engineers, how models built on top of or in place of the decline curve improve forecast accuracy, processing more data and finding patterns the standard equations miss.—
Dara-Abasi Ita,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
There are millions of research papers published per year now—in popular topics, there are often multiple dozens of papers posted each day.—
Rachel Nuwer,
Scientific American,
16 June 2026
-
None of her coworkers at the time even knew who Jenner was, but the idea helped plant the seed for how today's prediction markets allow users to bet on nontraditional topics.—
Emma Hinchliffe,
Fortune,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
The figures involved in setting up the fight are Saudi boxing powerbroker Turki Al-Sheikh, Ring Magazine and Saudi entertainment group Sela as well as broadcaster Netflix.—
Chris McKenna,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
-
The project, the National Garden of American Heroes, is slated to feature 250 statues of historical figures from America’s past who have contributed to the nation's cultural, scientific, economic, and political heritage, commemorating the 250th anniversary of America’s independence.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
When Mamdani meets The Athletic, however, even more cerebral matters are at play.—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
-
For aspiring buyers, the geographic spread matters.—
Kamal Morgan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
Those programs remain at an early stage, but CEPI is assessing whether any of these vaccine designs could be tested during the current outbreak.—
Paul Adepoju,
Scientific American,
14 June 2026
-
Charlotte has already allocated $300,000 toward a study looking at alternative designs, modeling and simulation techniques for land use planning, Watlington said.—
Nicholas Sullivan,
Charlotte Observer,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
His photographs of Sting graced the cover of the Police’s landmark 1983 Synchronicity album, while other subjects ranged from Robert Rauschenberg to Nancy Reagan.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
12 June 2026
-
Hockney’s parents and siblings remained lifelong, recurring subjects.—
Mark Rozzo,
Vanity Fair,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
A lot of ornaments and tinsel on the Christmas tree.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 June 2026
-
But early last Saturday evening, two bullets shattered the glass between displays of Christmas ornaments and dining plates.—
Matt Viser,
The Atlantic,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Motifs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motifs. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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